Outside The Rain

Women's Intuition - (Oneshot, 13+, 2,140 words.) Minerva tries getting Severus to ask out the new professor. Romantic fluff. A companion piece to Send Me an Angel but can be read as a stand-alone piece without context. (Tumblr link)

XOXO - (Oneshot, 18+ for smut, 3,165 words.) What do two horny Hogwarts professors do when their work schedules keep them apart? They sext via owl, of course. But Severus finds it increasingly difficult to focus on the task at hand... (Tumblr link)

Birthday Fantasy - (18+ for smut, 1,997 words.) Part of At Last, posted in celebration of Sev's birthday. Severus tries to keep his birthday a secret, but his girlfriend insists on celebrating. (Tumblr link)

Wicked Game - (18+ for smut, 3,391 words.) Part of At Last, posted in celebration of Valentine's Day. For the first time in his life, Severus Snape has a Valentine. The only problem is, she's too bloody busy to celebrate. Late that evening in her office, he makes sure they more than make up for it. (Tumblr link)

Keep Quiet - (18+ for smut, 1,272 words) Part of At Last, posted in celeberation of Alan Rickman's birthday. There’s a new teacher at Hogwarts… and he has the hots for Sev’s girl. Though he tries not to let possessiveness get the best of him, Severus can’t help reminding her who she belongs to. (Tumblr link)

For Educational Purposes Only - (G-rated fluff, Snape x Charity Burbage) It began as yet another of Dumbledore's tedious assignments. "Field research" with Professor Burbage on Muggle courtship. But somewhere between the wonders of Tube travel and Muggle cinema, the lines between academic research and something decidedly more personal begin to blur.

Professional Development - (18+ for smut, 4,581 words, Snape x Reader) Your sixth-month performance review as Potions Teaching Assistant at Hogwarts has just concluded, and you head down to the dungeons to properly thank your boss for his positive assessment. The cauldron is steaming. The sex is even steamier.

The Potions Professor's Perfect Assistant - A collection of smutty tales about Sev and his un-named teaching assistant. Some will be Snape x You (female reader,) some from Sev's POV. Each can be read as a stand-alone piece. No plot here, just smut!

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   Allegedly reformed Death Eater Severus Snape, whose years as a double spy are credited by some with helping win the Second Wizarding War, is once again ensconced at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House.  And according to a close source, romance has blossomed this year for the infamous professor, in the form of a coquettish new Music professor from the States!

   But could this unlikely couple bring the esteemed wizarding school into disrepute?  Just who is this blonde American bombshell whose beguiling charm has swept the imposing Potions Master off his feet?

   Stella Rosenbaum, hired to lead the school's controversial new Music Programme, presents herself as a cosmopolitan New York fashionista.  But our source has revealed that the Muggle-born temptress actually hails from the rural south, raised in abject poverty in the rolling hills of North Carolina.

   "She may wear pretty dresses and act above her station, but she's really no better than rubbish.  She grew up in a shack, raised by a poor single Muggle mother with a drug problem."

   The polarising Yank has made waves since arriving at Hogwarts, modernising the Music Programme and breaking with longstanding school tradition.  "She calls students by their given names, and never disciplines them.  And the music choices she's made have been atrocious.  She's got the students performing all Muggle music; loud obnoxious rock and rap songs.  It's downright indecent.  They sing and dance all over the school.  You can barely get them to pay attention to their lessons."

   It seems the American vixen sunk her claws into Professor Snape almost immediately upon arrival, monopolising his time - time which could have been spent preparing lessons and tutoring students.  "The pair are inseparable.  You almost never see one without the other.  They spend nights in each other's chambers, sneaking out early the next morning like naughty teenagers."

From an Impoverished Youth to a Troubled Adulthood

   It's clear that Rosenbaum thought an invitation to study at the American magical school Ilvermorny was the key to escaping her family's generational curse of poverty.  Whilst all signs point to her being a model student in the classroom, her after-school activities were often more outlandish, another close source says.  "She was known for using magic to get her way in the Muggle world, such as sneaking into concerts. Engaging in heavy petting with famous rock stars was a hobby of hers.  She never turned down a drink - or more serious substances - at a party.  She once snogged every single boy at a big party, some of them more than once!"

   Her party-girl ways certainly didn't end upon graduation.  Moving to the Muggle part of New York City, the good-time gal lived a life of nightclubs, booze, and man-chasing.  "If a bloke had dark eyes, long hair, and a pallid complexion, she'd be all over him!"

   No surprise then that the pretty doxy staked her claim on the Hogwarts Potions Master without hesitation!

Tragedy in North Carolina

   Rosenbaum's life of easy living was disturbed in 1996, when a rogue hurricane flooded her hometown of Silver Pine Valley, killing her entire family - along with her Muggle boyfriend, a struggling musician called Brandon Williams.  "She went right back to her life of partying after the storm. She made a living by stripping, and by taking advantage of rich parents and their talentless children. She spent every night on the dance floors of New York nightclubs.  It's like she didn't even mourn her family at all.  Her friends were the creme de la creme of the weird and wacky New York art scene: struggling artists, drag queens, homosexuals.  Once she'd exhausted herself with partying, she gave up work and spent a year living homeless in a van."

Return to the Magical World

   No longer able to scam her way through life in the Muggle world, the homeless vamp took a job teaching music at Hogwarts from September last year - managing to charm her way into the role, despite not having a single bit of classical training.  In that short time, she's managed to upset the staff with her disregard for tradition, her over-the-top costumes, and her ensnaring of Professor Snape.  "Even the Headmistress has admitted that he's a totally different person since she's come.  He's even gotten flowers tattooed on his arm!"

The Don Juan of the Dungeons

   It seems Miss Rosenbaum's bohemian ways have rubbed off on the dour Potions Master.  Our source tells us that he's been seen courting numerous other women, including other members of Hogwarts staff.  "I've witnessed him drinking in pubs with other women, taking other lady professors on romantic walks, and even taking them back to his dungeon chambers."  

   But the impropriety doesn't stop there.  Our source has provided photographic proof that the unlikely couple are actually swingers, swapping partners when it suits their fancy.  Further, they've been spotted in public associating with the Malfoy family - well known for their allegiance to the Dark Lord.  The photos below show the Yank chippie purchasing lingerie before a night of debauchery, kissing Orion Blackwood (Hogwarts History of Magic Professor and Head of Gryffindor House,) and socialising with the infamous Death Eater family.  

   "It's disturbing to know that our children's education is in the hands of such hedonistic pleasure-seekers.  Are a Death Eater and a homeless Yank hussy really the people we want shaping the minds of our wizarding youth?"

   Some say the Potions Master must surely have the American vixen under a dark spell, others say she's put the dark magic on him.  Either way, we at the Weekly Inquiry invite you to share your thoughts!  Send an owl to:  Weekly Inquiry, 3rd Floor, Broom Cupboard by the Toilets, 209 Pixie Dust Lane, London

   Oh dear, Minerva thought.  What on earth…

********

   "Don't worry, darling, I'm sure she just wants to catch up," Severus said as he and Stella climbed the steps to Minerva's office.  

   "It's just strange, she doesn't usually ask us to come right away..."  She knocked softly on the door.

   "Hello dears, do come in," Minerva said warmly.  "Have a seat.  Oh, and have one of these macarons from France, they're delicious."  She pushed a tin of macarons towards them.  

   "Thank you," said Stella, reaching out to take one.  

   Minerva's eyes went wide.  "Oh, what a lovely ring!" she exclaimed.

   Stella blushed a bit, looking over at Severus.  "Thank you.  Sev gave it to me over the break.  We're... engaged."  

   A look of warm joy spread over the Headmistress's face.  "Ohhh!  Congratulations!  Oh, I'm so happy for you!  Let me see!"  She took Stella's hand and brought it closer to examine the ring.  "Oh, how lovely!  And so perfect for you! Oh, how wonderful!"  She came around the desk, arms raised. Stella stood up and hugged her without hesitation, eyes watering in happiness.  "You too, Severus.  Just this once!"  He stood and accepted her hug rather awkwardly. 

   "Oh, I'm just so happy for you both!" she said, sitting back down in her chair.  "I want to hear all about it, perhaps when he's not around," Minerva said, chuckling.  "I'm sure it was endlessly romantic and he'd be ever so embarrassed."

  Stella laughed.  "You know him so well."

  "I do hope you'll invite me to the wedding?"

   Stella's face went a bit white.  "Oh god.  We have to have a wedding, don't we?"  The thought of walking down an aisle with tons of eyes on her made her want to crawl into a hole and never come out.  

   "Don't worry, love, we'll think about that later," Severus said, taking her hand.

   "Not a fan of weddings then?" said Minerva.

   "I love them, if they're for other people," she said.

   "With your artistic flair, I'm sure you'll come up with something perfect.  Oh, I'm just so happy for you!  Really chuffed! Does anyone know?"

   "Not really, no one in the castle, anyway.  Everyone's been gone.  I guess we'll tell people as and when we see them.” 

   "Well it really is just wonderful news.  However..."  she hesitated, not wanting to spoil the joyful mood.  "I'm afraid I have something rather unpleasant to discuss with you.  Please don't worry," she said, noting Stella's anxious expression.  "It's nothing either of you have done.  I found this amongst my post this morning.  It seems someone has fed some information to this tabloid newspaper... Perhaps I should let you read it first."  She lay the paper before them on the desk.

   "What the..."  Stella said, noting the pictures of her and Severus, and the scandalous headline.  They read through the article, Stella growing more and more upset.  Severus remained stoic, but squeezed her hand in support.  

   "Why would someone do this?" Stella asked, looking up at Minerva with tears in her eyes.  "It's horrible!  Stripping?  I've never been a stripper!  Homeless?  I own property in Manhattan, I'm not homeless!  How dare they put Brandon's full name!!! And it looks like I'm kissing Orion... we were dancing, I was leaning in to talk in his ear!  Swingers?  Oh my god..."  She buried her face in her hands, leaning against Severus and crying on his shoulder.

   He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket for her.  "When was this printed?"

   "It's dated for the twenty-third, last Monday.  I believe it's a weekly paper.  I'm sorry, I know it's upsetting, but I wanted to let you know, lest you find out in a more unpleasant manner."

   Stella sat up, sniffling.  "It was her.  Ruth.  That hag..."

   Minerva sighed.  "To be honest, I had the same thought."

   "Beth told me she was planning something that would embarrass me.  She tried finding out what, but couldn't get it out of her.  And..." she had an epiphany.  "That weird guy with the camera!  That's where these pictures came from!"

   "Guy with a camera?" Minerva asked.

   "Yes.  This guy was popping up everywhere I went for days, taking pictures.  That's me in Hogsmeade, the day you went with me," she said to Severus, pointing to the photo of her at the lingerie shop.  "And these, he took these at Dillingers, when we were out with Miriam and Orion.  That's us dancing, not kissing.  And that's us leaving.  We just happened to pass by the Malfoys' table.  He's framed it as if we were actually hanging out with them."

   "I hate to ask, but how did she get all this information about you?  About your past?  Surely you didn't tell her?"

   "No, the only people here who know about it are you, Sev, and - " she gasped.  "Nigel."

   "He knows all of those things? Are you sure?" Severus asked.

   "Yeah.  He did go to school with me.  We used to have long talks at night, me and Mikey.  Nigel would be there sometimes.  He probably heard some of it there.  And the stuff about the party... Well, he was there.  And he's asked me about it recently.  And even called Mikey to try and get more info, didn't he?"  She began crying again.  "I can't believe it.  I thought we were friends.  I'd never do something like this to him."  

   Rage was bubbling madly inside Severus like an over-boiling cauldron.  "That bloody bastard... that bloody bitch..."

   Minerva knew he must be seriously upset to use such language in front of her.  "The issue is that we don't have any real proof that they've done this.  I fully believe you," she said, looking at Stella, "but we'll need to get them to confess.  If we can manage that, I'll be well within my rights to sack them both.” 

   Stella looked up, eyes red and puffy from the tears.  "But... the students have exams soon.  In arithmancy, at least. Without a teacher, they may not pass their exams. And the theatre kids have the musical coming up. They've been working so hard, I can't do that to them."

   Minerva regarded her warmly.  "I appreciate that you put the well-being of the students over your own.  But this is a very serious case of misconduct.  And on a personal note, I don't appreciate two of my favourite people being so badly done by.  Don't worry, I can call in a favour from an old friend who can cover arithmancy until we get a new professor.  As for theatre... well, I suppose it may have to fall mostly on you, dear.  But I think you'll agree that a few weeks of extra work would be well worth finally getting rid of Ruth."

   Stella looked from Minerva to Severus and back again, unsure what to say.  

   "How are you planning to get them to confess?" Severus asked Minerva.  

   "Well, unfortunately the use of Veritaserum on staff is not exactly well looked upon.  However, there may be other ways.  Perhaps a bit of intimidation... we do have a skilled Legilimens on staff, after all..."

   "I'd have to talk this one into it," he said, gesturing to Stella.  "I promised her some time ago that I'd not go into people's minds."

  Stella stared at the offensive article before her on the desk, the photos moving as if to mock her.  "Please. Do it.  Whatever it takes."

   They'd had a lazy, relaxing break so far.  Long walks about the lake with Reina, who grew more clever and flew further every day, idle mornings luxuriating in bed, evenings spent reading together or watching films.  Stella had spent the morning in her classroom, playing piano just for herself - something she'd not had time for in ages.  And without the threat of interruption by Nigel, who'd jaunted off to Brazil for the holiday.  She wondered how many conquests he'd manage in the two weeks.  I'm sure I'll hear all about it when he's back, she thought, rolling her eyes. 

   She let herself into Sev's chambers, finding him on the sofa under a light blanket.  He'd taken to having naps over the past few days.  She knew it was the tiredness from the term catching up with him.  She found herself falling asleep throughout the day as well.  It had been a hell of a term.  Her own workload had increased with the arrival of the Theatre programme, and the Ministry had made changes mid-term to the Potions curriculum that meant Severus had to completely re-do nearly everything; his storage, his lesson plans, his exam prep with the students.  They'd both been a bit overworked, and couldn't seem to sleep enough now that they had free time.

   He roused a bit, hearing her enter.  She sat by him on the sofa and kissed his forehead, smoothing his hair from his face.  "Sorry honey, didn't mean to wake you."

   "Mmm, it's alright." he said sleepily.  "I should get up anyway."  He sat up, a bit groggy.

    "I got your post from the staff room.  This one looks fancy," she said, handing him a letter in a very ornate envelope.  

    Intrigued, he pulled back the wax seal and opened the letter.  A poof of tiny golden fireworks exploded quietly from the parchment, leaving a sort of sparkly mist in the shape of the letters A and D. The letters merged into a heart, then evaporated, leaving only a rose-scented essence lingering in the air.

   "Ooh, that was pretty, what is it?"

   Severus quickly read over the parchment, which wasn't exactly a letter, but an invitation.  "It's an invitation to Draco Malfoy's wedding in October."

   "You're kidding.  They actually invited you? Can they not take a hint?"

   "There's another letter, too.  Hmm."  He opened a smaller folded bit of very fine parchment, and held it so they both could read:

Severus, 

I hope you and your lovely lady companion will do us the honour of attending our Draco's wedding to Miss Astoria Greengrass.  Such occasions serve as the ideal conduit for putting bygones to rest, for forgiveness of misdeeds, and for celebration of the truly important things in life.  Let us put the past behind us, old friend.  Narcissa especially wishes to express her gratitude to you in person. As for myself, a shared drink and conversation with my dear old friend would be most welcome.  Perhaps we might even discuss a bit of business.  My offer still stands, should you find yourself open to the very generous terms.  I could perhaps even be persuaded to negotiate in your favour.

Regards, 

Lucius

   "Is he on about the hair tonic again?"  Stella asked with a giggle.

   "Indeed.  This must be the fifth time he's asked.  He's practically begging me.  I think he'd pay me any sum I might name."

   "Well, shall we RSVP then?  And secure your financial future?" 

   "Hmm, let me think about that..." He sent the letter flying into the fireplace, where it burnt down to ashes with his silent incendio.  

   Stella hugged him and chuckled softly.  "What time should we leave today?"

   "I'm not sure exactly when the bloom may occur.  It could be any time after sundown, which should be around half eight.  I don't want us to have to rush.  Let's leave at six, that will give us plenty of time to get there, and set things up."

   "Set what things up?"

    "I'll bring a small tent, and something to sleep on, just in case the bloom happens very late and you get tired.  Don't worry, I'll not let you miss it.  Once the flowers bloom, they glow for a few hours.  But there's no way of knowing the exact time.  I don't want you to have to sit leaning against a tree until dawn."

   "Aww, that's sweet of you.  What's the terrain like, are we climbing over things, or just walking?"

   "It shouldn't be too bad; just walking, I think.  Perhaps a fallen tree here and there, but nothing too difficult.  Just wear some sensible shoes."

   "You know it pains my heart to hear those words," she laughed.  "But I'll do my best."

********

   They set out at six, Stella wearing a warm casual dress of burgundy velvet with flat knee-high boots.  "I always forget how much shorter you actually are," Severus remarked cheekily.  The forest loomed before them, dark and imposing.  

   "I know you said it'll be safe, but it's just so creepy," she said.

   "Don't worry, I promise we'll be fine.  Just stay close to me.  I know exactly where to go."  They walked into the woods, deeper and deeper, the scent of damp earth and whisper of fluttering leaves enveloping them.  As they walked further, the light grew dimmer, and they cast illumination charms with their wands to see by.

   "What was that?!?" Stella yelped, hearing a sudden noise somewhere in the dense growth around them.  

   "Probably just a tree branch falling. Here, take my hand."  She did, and held on tight, glad at least one of them seemed to not be completely freaked out by the dark, spooky atmosphere.  "You seem tense, darling.  Please don't worry.  Everything is fine."

   "It's just so creepy.  Ten times more so in the dark..."

   "Perhaps you need a distraction.  Did I ever tell you about the time Filch came back from holiday in Santorini with a sunburn like a lobster and twenty-seven cats?"

   She laughed quietly.  "No..."

    "Well, apparently there are free-roaming cats on the island, and he couldn't resist.  His trunk was full of them when he returned.  They ran rampant all over the castle, then a few months later the kittens started appearing.  We'd find litters of them in broom cupboards, in classrooms... one mother cat even decided Albus's office chair was the ideal spot for giving birth.  It was madness.  A lot of the students adopted a cat, but it wasn't long before the felines outnumbered the humans.  Albus finally had to round them up and send them to an animal rescue centre in Ireland.  Minerva was terrified to transfigure for fear she'd be shipped off to Limerick."

   "I never know whether you're making these stories up or not..."  she giggled.

   "In this case, it's true.  And it served my purpose: distracting you.  We're here."

   The spot looked much like any other place deep in the forest; a small nondescript clearing, surrounded by trees.  "Hmm. Very... lovely?"

   "It doesn't look like much now, but when the flowers bloom, it will be quite nice.  Here, have a seat. I'll set up the tent." 

   Stella sat on a large tree root and cast light his way with her wand.  Pulling things from his enchanted bag, he set up the tent with a quick spell, then spread a cushiony mat and blanket inside.  He set out a collection basket, ready for the harvested blossoms, and cast a few small orbs of light to hover nearby, then joined her by the tree.  

   "Are you alright?  Your hand's shaking a bit," she said, taking his trembling hand in hers.

   "Oh, yes.  I'm fine.  Just a bit cold, perhaps."  

   "I can get the blanket if you want?"

   "No, it's fine.  I'll just hold on to you.  You're like a little furnace."

   She smiled.  "Wonder how much time we'll have to kill.  Got any more stories for me?"

   "Plenty.  I once happened upon an actual orgy of house-elves in the prefect's bathroom.  It was Christmas break, and I heard disco music, and some very lewd noises emanating from the room..."

   "Noooo!!!"

   "Yes.  In the spirit of the season, I left them to it.  But I couldn't look Weeble in the eye for quite some time after."

    She giggled madly.  "You have to be making that one up!"

   "I fervently wish I were, Madam."

   She collapsed against him in riotous giggles.  "I guess baby elves have to come from somewhere..."

   He chuckled softly.  "Hmm, nearly nine o'clock now.  I'd better think of some more stories for you, it could be hours yet..."

   They sat together for a long time, Severus telling stories, Stella's laugh echoing softly in the darkness.  Eventually she dozed off, leaning on his shoulder.  He was about to wake her and send her to lie down in the tent when a small glow in the nearby undergrowth caught his eye.  Slowly, more and more of the glowing spots came to life; the aestivanox was blooming.  "Wake up, darling," he said, shaking her gently. "It's happening."

   Stella opened her eyes to find the dark ground before her transforming bit by bit into a glowing field of luminous blue-green flowers.  The delicate blossoms covered the area entirely, shimmering in the darkness, lending an ethereal dreaminess to the scenery.  Sev had been right; it was mesmerising.  

   "It's so pretty!  I know I always say this... but this is magical."  She squeezed him in a tight hug.  "It's so beautiful."

   The flowers had now reached full bloom, glowing beautifully against the dark mossy forest floor, spreading deep into the woods as far as Stella could see.  "I didn't realise it would cover so much area."

   "Mmm, it goes quite a bit deeper into the forest."

   "How in the world did you find this?"

   "I read about it in my seventh year, and decided I'd go looking for it.  One simple confundus charm on an unsuspecting Filch late one evening, and I was on my way."

   She sighed in admiration.  "I wish I'd known you then.  We could have gotten up to all sorts of shenanigans."

   He smiled.  "I wish you had, too.  We'll just have to make up for it.  Well, I suppose I should collect what I need."  

    "Can I help?"

    "Sure.  Cut them off about this far down the stem,” he indicated with his fingers,  “and lay them gently in the basket.  I'll set them to dry when we return."  He gathered the basket and two small sets of shears.  He stumbled a bit trying to hand one to Stella, dropping the shears on the ground.  "Sorry, love.  Here."  He picked them up, only to drop them again.  

   "Are you alright?"

   "Yes, I'm fine.  It's just... a bit difficult to see."

   Is it, though?  She thought.  With all the flowers glowing, I can see pretty clearly...

   "Let's collect from over here," he said, moving away quite far from where they'd set up.  "These... look more potent."

   She thought it odd, but didn't argue.  They filled the basket quickly, leaving a bare spot where they'd harvested.  She noticed his hands were still trembling a bit when he picked up the basket.  "Are you sure you're alright?  Is your blood sugar low?  I have some chocolates in my bag."

   "No, I'm fine.  Just a bit tired, perhaps.  Hmm, there are a few quite large ones over there, I should collect them."  He went back to the spot nearer the tent.  "Would you fetch the bag from the tent?"

   "Sure," she said, and ducked into the tent to look for the bag.  After some searching, she finally located it, wrapped up in the blanket.  "Why'd you hide it in the - " She stopped dead in her tracks upon leaving the tent, dropping the bag in shock, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief...

   Severus was amidst the field of glowing flowers, on one knee, holding out a small open box with something glittering inside... He smiled sweetly at her, a look of vulnerable hope gracing his face in the luminous glow.  Somehow in her shock, her feet managed to move, and she came closer, standing before him in astonishment.

   "Stella, my darling... I never thought I could ever love anyone as I love you. You came into my life like an angel from Heaven, a beacon of warm, golden light after decades of darkness…  You’ve made life worth living. I've never known true happiness, until knowing you, loving you. I know we haven't been together for very long, but I want to be by your side forever; I've never been so certain of anything in my life. I know I'm a flawed, difficult man without much to offer you. But, darling, everything I have to give is yours, forever, if you'll have it. Please... will you marry me?"

   The tears came before she could even fully process... Her mind whirled with a thousand thoughts. Oh my god, did he really just... Thank god I'm not wearing much makeup...  Did that really just happen? Say yes, you stupid girl!  "Yes," she said softly, tears streaming down her face.  

    Severus stood up and pulled her close, relief washing over him like a tidal wave, almost not believing that she'd actually said yes.  She really said yes.  She's going to be my wife.  Surely I'm going to wake up from this dream soon.  His tender kiss was a promise, that his love for her would glow infinitely, never fading, never ceasing.  "I didn't mean to make you cry, love," he said softly, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbing her wet cheeks.  "Was it that bad?"

   "It was perfect."  She dried her eyes, not sure they'd stay that way for very long.  "I love you."

   "I love you too, darling.  Gods, I'm glad you said yes.  It would have been a very awkward walk back had you not."  He gave her a smile, the one only she ever got to see.  "Put this on, will you?  I've been carrying it around all day."  

   The ring couldn’t have been more perfect if she’d chosen it herself.  Vintage, still in the original box that looked to be from the 20s or 30s, a cushion-cut diamond sparkling in the midst of a halo of smaller diamonds, set on a delicate silver band of dainty filigree.  Severus slid the beautiful ring onto her finger; thanking the gods that the fit seemed right.  He regarded her hand for a moment in awe, then lifted it to his lips and kissed it with reverence, still coming to grips with the fact that she'd actually said yes. "I... hope you like it."

   "I love it, it's gorgeous." She couldn't stop gazing at it, the way it sparkled in the luminous glow of the flowers.

   "I did look at some brand new ones, but... this one seemed most like you."

   "It's perfect. This was perfect. I love you so much." The tears came again. She wrapped her arms around him and cried happily against his chest. He embraced her back, dropping tender kisses onto her head.

********

   They lay together in the small tent, the blue-green glow of the aestivanox visible through the canvas, pressed together under the blanket for warmth.  The ring on her finger sparkled even in the low light, as she caressed his face and stroked his hair.  

   "Are you really going to marry me?" he whispered, part of him still finding it unbelievable.  She smiled, looking deep into his eyes, and nodded.  "Gods."  He smiled back adoringly, his brow raised as if he still couldn't believe it.  "I argued with myself for ages, about whether I should, whether I shouldn't.  Whether I should wait.  I know it's quite fast, but... I wanted you to know exactly how much you mean to me."

   "I won't say I wasn't shocked.  But... nothing has ever felt this right. It hasn't been that long, but it seems like a lifetime, really.  God.  I can't imagine not having you in my life."  She kissed him, giddy that she'd be kissing these soft lips for the rest of her life.   "This is so beautiful," she said, looking at her ring.  "So perfect.  Where did you find it?” 

   "I asked Alice at the antiques shop to keep an eye out, ages ago.  I only got her owl a few weeks ago.  The day I said I was picking up a volatile potion ingredient."

   "So I was right, you made the whole thing up, about that cough potion."

    "Well, not exactly.  It's a real potion.  But I wasn't planning to brew it.  I even had to ask Ambrose to tell you the same cover story, should you pop in asking questions."

   "He did ask me if I had any news to share last time I was in, which I thought was odd..."

   Severus chuckled softly.  "I was only going to have a look at the ring, see if it was any good.  I thought I should shop around a bit more.  But it was so perfect, I bought it on the spot.  Then when I came back, and found you asleep, in those bloody pyjamas... gods, I wanted to wake you up and ask you right there, in your living room.  But you deserved something better.  I... hope you were not disappointed."

   "Oh honey, it was beautiful.  Absolutely perfect." 

   "Part of me still wasn't sure it was the right thing.  I thought initially I might just keep the ring, for who knows how long. But... something about that night.  It was nothing remarkable.  Just being with you, lying around talking and laughing about nothing of consequence.  It was bliss. I knew I wanted that every day of my life.  I looked at you once you'd dropped off to sleep, and I just knew.  I was certain.  And I didn't want to wait much longer."

   "I'm glad you didn't."

********

   A soft thumping sound woke her at daybreak, nestled in his arms.  "Hi," he said sleepily, kissing her on the tip of the nose.  

   "Hi," she managed to whisper.  "What's that noise?"

   "Nothing to worry about," he replied softly, pressing his warm lips gently to her sleepy face.  When she'd woken up a bit, he helped her sit up.  "You should have a look outside."

   Stella poked her head out of the tent, and discovered the source of the thumps: the herd of unicorns, spread out through the area, happily eating the wilted aestivanox flowers.

   "Aestivanox produces a sweet nectar after the blooms fade.  They can't resist it."  

   Stella's still sleep-groggy mind marvelled at the sight.  A midnight proposal, in a field of magical glowing flowers, and then waking up surrounded by unicorns.  She was surely the luckiest girl in the world.  Severus sat behind her, holding her close whilst they watched the magnificent creatures.  The little foal, slightly bigger than last time, came over for petting.   God, if I died right now, I'd be the happiest girl in the world.

********

   She'd just been to the little slag's office, knowing she'd be in the auditorium all evening with Nigel for play rehearsal.  Stupid little tramp didn't even lock the door.  Ruth found the cardigan she'd been wearing earlier, and a pair of her dumb high heels.  She nicked them both, hurrying back to her chambers before anyone could see. She'd examined the cardigan and found exactly what she'd hoped for: one of Stella's hairs.

   She put the cardigan on over her dress; another of Stevie's designs - the same one she'd seen Stella wearing earlier.  She'd heard them talking at dinner.  Snape said he'd be in his office marking essays, and he'd see her after rehearsal.  It was all coming together so perfectly...

    She added the hair to the bottle, stuck her thumb over the open neck and gave it a shake, then steadied herself for the big gulp.  One, two, three.  The potion went down like cat vomit, by far the most vile thing she'd ever had in her mouth. 

   She was still trying not to hurl the potion back up when the change began.  It started in her fingers; they grew longer, more slender, and the skin fairer, smoother - more youthful looking.  The effects travelled up her extremities and all throughout her body. It felt as if she was fizzing like a shaken soda from the inside.  As quickly as it began, the weird fizzy feeling faded, and she looked up at the mirror.

   It was mighty disquieting to see Stella looking back at her.  Even more peculiar to look down at her own body, only to find Stella's younger, taller, slimmer one instead.  She looked back into the mirror, trying out different facial expressions.  A smile - very pretty.  A look of surprise - how cute.  A frown - oh how desperately sad, and yet still quite pretty.   So this is what it feels like to be a pretty little brainless blonde princess, she thought.  She had to admit... It wasn't bad.  She wondered how her own life might be different if she'd been blessed with such beauty.

   No time to waste, get on with it old gal.  Nothing left to do but put on those stupid shoes and clip-clop down to his office... and hopefully, finally get what she'd so desperately wanted for so long.  

    How the hell does she walk in these things? she thought as she stumbled down the corridor, trying to look as graceful as possible.

********

   No, Miss Summers, bat spleen does not grow on trees. If you paid attention in class rather than drawing - Severus looked up from his marking, hearing someone attempt to open his office door.  They tried several times, then knocked sharply.  Bloody hell, I've already been interrupted twice by those silly triplets tonight...  He opened the door to find Stella, looking quite flustered.

   "Sorry," she said.  "Your charm must have worn off."  

   He knew for certain his charm was fine.  Severus Snape did not set half-arsed charms.  His sensitive nose picked up the barest hint of an acrid smell.  Strange... normally he could smell her usual fruity/floral scent from five feet away, let alone so close to her.  Something was off...

   "Well are you going to let me in or not, h-honey?" she said.  "I know I'm early, but rehearsal finished early tonight."

   "Of course."  He stepped aside, and she came in, walking rather unsteadily across the room and sitting in the big armchair.

   He closed the door and went back to his desk.   Something was weird; Stella never clomped around like that.  And something was ever so slightly off about her voice... the way she'd faltered the tiniest bit saying "honey," as if it were the first time... and the odd smell...  It came to him in an instant.  Bloody hell.  She cannot be serious. How utterly juvenile.  He figured he may as well have some fun.  "I'm still marking, love.  Did you want your book?  It's over there, on the shelf."  

   "Oh, yes.  My book."  She stood up tentatively, and walked unsteadily across the room again, searching for 'her book.' There's a million books on this shelf, which one is it?  She scanned quickly, trying to determine what the little slag was most likely to read.

   "While you're over there love, can you fetch me the churchkey?"

   "Sure, honey."  She searched all over; there weren't any keys that she could see.  "Um, it's not over here."

   "It's just there, by the jar of fairy wings." 

   Ruth spotted the jar, but not the key.  "There aren't any keys over here, honey."

   Severus smirked.  Busted. He got up and walked over, plucking a old-fashioned bottle opener/can piercer from the shelf.  "This, you silly witch.  The bottle opener."

   "Oh.  Sorry, you said it was a key."

   Severus sat back down at his desk, looking at her questioningly.  "You're the one who told me it was called a churchkey, remember?  You said it was an old-fashioned American term. Said your Granny always used it?"

   Ruth tried to maintain her composure.  "Oh, of course!  I um... I forgot!  Silly me!"

   "Hmm. Well, make yourself comfortable, I'm just finishing up these essays."

   Ruth still hadn't worked out which book belonged to the little slag.  She took the most likely candidate, an old tome called Musickal Magick for Potiones, and headed back to the armchair.

   "Is everything alright, darling?  You look a little unsteady on your feet today."

    A little thrill went through her at being addressed as darling by him.  "Oh, yes, I'm fine.  Just tired I suppose.  It's tiring walking in these heels all day."

   Severus squinted at her.  "You wear heels all day, every day, love... what happened to ‘I can run a marathon in five inch heels?’" he said playfully.

   Ruth tried laughing it off.  "Well, some days are longer than others!  Are you nearly done marking?"

    "Nearly.  One more to go.  What did you fancy doing tonight?"

   "Well," she said, making her best attempt at a sultry come-to-bed voice.  "How about a nice long bubble bath, followed by a nice long roll in the sheets?"

   He knew that Stella would certainly not be making any such suggestions tonight.  She'd come by for some of his special monthly relief draught just this afternoon.  And she'd never have asked for a 'nice long roll in the sheets.'  She'd have either been more coy, or said something much wittier.  

   "Hmm.  We'll see."

    "Or, you could save the marking for later... we could christen your desk right now."

   The audacity of this troll... "My, aren't you forward today, darling?  What do you mean by christen?  It's a bit late for that, isn't it? Do you not remember my birthday?"  May as well make her even more jealous while she's here.  It was evil, petty... but he couldn't help himself.

   "No harm re-visiting the past!"

   "Indeed."  It made him feel physically sick to do so, but he turned his voice sultry.  "Why don't you remind me... tell me all about about that night."  He leaned back in his chair and gave her a smouldering look of faux desire.

   Ruth's heart was hammering in her chest.  Was this actually working?  If this was what he wanted, she'd do her best.   "I um... knocked on your door that night and -"

   "No, love.  You let yourself in, remember?  My door's been charmed to let you in for ages, long before my birthday."

    "Oh, yes.  I let myself in and... you were here and..." she trailed off, unsure what to say next.

   "You had on that pretty red dress."

   "I had on that red dress."

   "And what else?"

   "Um... some heels.  And some stockings?"

   "Yes, now it's coming back to you.  But that wasn't all..."

    Her mind whirred... what else would the little slag have been wearing?  "It was... black? A black bra?"

   Severus raised an eyebrow.  "Your memory really isn't what it used to be, love.  No matter. Forget about the lingerie, go on... you came in, I was here, and..."

   "And then I came over to you..."

   "Close enough.  And where did you sit?"

  "On the desk?"

   "No, you never sat on the desk, now did you?  I think you should have an early night tonight, darling.  You really aren't firing on all cylinders.  Perhaps we should discuss something more recent.  Valentine's Day?"

   "Valentine's Day. What a day!"

   "It certainly was. Remember where we were?"

   "Of course, how could I forget?"

   "And what you were wearing? You teased me all day didn't you?"

   "Yes, all day."

    "You're quite stingy with the details tonight, love. Remember how Ruth saw us coming back from your office in the middle of the night, looking exactly like two people who'd just been doing very naughty things?  And she gave us that dirty look?  And you didn't care, you said you hoped she knew exactly what we'd been up to, it would make her sick with envy."  He laughed softly.  "Gods, that was an incredible night."

   Oh gods, he actually said my name. "Yes, it was!"

    "Tell me darling, which part was your favourite?"

   "Oh, um... all of it, really."

   "Oh love, you can do better than that.  Where's that artistic flair you do so well?  Paint me a picture.  You know I love it when you talk dirty."

   Ruth grew more flustered.  She'd expected a lot less talking, and more action.  Maybe I should make a move. "How about we stop re-hashing the past, and make a new memory."  She stood up and tried walking slowly to the desk.  She'd almost made it when her foot twisted in the bloody high heel, and she stumbled.  Severus reached out in reflex and caught her by the arm.  A hot flame spread through her body... Oh gods, he's touching me! 

   "Alright, love?  Maybe you should take those off."

   "Yes, I think I should."  She kicked the shoes off like a child, and they flew off in two different directions.  Stella would never have treated her clothing like that.  He hoped the troll hadn't scuffed them.  

   "Hop up on the desk, darling.  Let me look at you."  He sat back in his chair whilst Ruth sat on the desk.  She over-reached, forgetting she was in Stella's taller, lighter body, and nearly fell completely backwards, managing to steady herself at the last minute.

   "Didn't you have red polish on your toes?"

   "Yes, I took it off during lunch, though.  I want to change the colour."

   "How odd. You don't usually give yourself pedicures in your office. And what happened to your makeup?  No offence, you know I find you beautiful either way, but I swear you had on makeup this morning..."

   "It was really hot in the dance lesson, it must have sweated off!"

   Severus knew she didn't have dance lessons today, and that her makeup didn't just sweat off.  She had a makeup removal routine that took at least ten minutes every night.

   "Hmm, it must have been awfully hot then.  Oh, by the way, I was trying to remember that Japanese thing you say to Mikey when you're remembering something nostalgic.  What was it again?"

   "Japanese?  Oh, uh, it's... actually, I forgot."

   "Forgot?  You say it nearly every time the two of you speak.  Are you quite sure you're alright today, love?"

   Both their heads turned abruptly as the door opened, and the real Stella walked in gracefully.  "I'm just fine, thanks, and it's natsukashii."  She stared at herself perched on the desk.  "Hi, honey," she said to Severus.  "Didn't realise you'd been brewing polyjuice potion.  But good lord, rehearsal isn't that long, couldn't you have waited another hour or two for the real thing?"  She sat herself down across his lap and gave him a long kiss.  "Who's your friend?" she said, looking over at the clone perched on his desk.  

   "I suspect it's a certain mad Professor.  Though we'll have to wait for the potion to wear off to be sure."  He glanced at his office door, which locked itself, the handle glowing brightly with an additional unopenable charm, to prevent the culprit from leaving.

   Ruth looked frantically around the room.  It was futile; there was no way to escape.  Oh shit, what am I going to do?

   "Seems a shame to waste a whole evening waiting for this princess to turn back into a toad," she said, looking Ruth in the eye. She turned back to Severus. "I bet my Potions Master boyfriend has something to speed things along."  She kissed him sweetly on the cheek, then gave Ruth a searing glare.

   "Indeed. Although, perhaps we should let her sweat a bit first. It's only fair, after all the awful things she's said about you."

    Stella giggled and kicked her feet playfully. "Well, maybe just for a bit. I could use a good laugh. You were a bad boy stringing her along like that, honey. But it was fun to listen to. I heard the whole thing. God, I love you." She gave him another long kiss, then looked back at Ruth. "Who's the desperate little slag now, hmm? I can't believe you thought this would work! Polyjuice? Really? This is Severus fucking Snape, you dumb cow. As if he would ever fall for something so childish..."

   Ruth's face was stark white. "Wow, is that really what I look like without makeup?" Stella asked Severus.

   "Not usually quite so pale, darling. I believe our dear Professor may be in a bit of shock."

   Ruth's mouth moved, trying to form words. "Uh... I... ah..."

  "Yes?" Stella asked impatiently. "Spit it out, heifer."

   "I-I'm sorry! I don't know what I'm doing, I think someone has me under a dark spell!"

    Stella and Severus looked at each other and laughed. "Likely story, Professor," Severus said. "I do have a stock of veritaserum, or I could use Legilimency, should you insist on telling such lies?"

   "No! No, I'm sorry, really I am. I'll never bother you again! Either of you!"

   Stella sighed. "Go on and give her the antidote, honey. It's getting creepy, sitting here arguing with myself." She hopped off of his lap, continuing to stare Ruth down as Severus went to his cupboard.

   "Will you take this willingly, or am I going to have to force it down your throat?" he asked, approaching Ruth with a small bottle.

   Knowing she was stuck, she shook her head. "I'll take it." She drank it down, and within a moment was back to her normal self.

   "Why does she have my voice?" Stella asked. "I thought polyjuice only changed the physical?"

   "It does," answered Severus. "She must be using a charm. Quite impressive, really, although one of your little country colloquialisms gave her away."

   Ruth quickly did a counter-charm on herself. "You... you knew the whole time?"

   "Of course he did, you stupid toad. You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. And so did I. I saw you from the back - or rather, saw myself from the back - on the way here. One quick charm to silence my shoes, and you had no idea I was behind you. I heard everything."  She laughed gleefully.   "God, I feel like I'm watching a Muggle cartoon. It's just so ridiculous. And give me back my clothes! You must have stolen them from my office. How dare you kick my Manolo Blahniks across the room like they're wellie boots! But I guess a bumbling troll like you doesn't appreciate fine couture."

    Ruth shucked off the cardigan and handed it over. "Please, please... I beg you. Don't tell the Headmistress! I promise, I'll never bother either of you, ever again!"

   Severus looked at Stella questioningly. "I think," she said, "I'll have to sleep on that. Decide whether I'm feeling forgiving or not." She turned back to Ruth, with a look that could burn a person to a crisp, her southern accent creeping out and growing stronger with each turn of phrase. "Get the fuck out of here. And don't ever speak to me again. Don't ever even look at me again. And stay the hell away from my man. If you so much as breathe near one of us again, then you better give your heart to Jesus, cuz your ass is gonna be mine. I'll snatch you bald headed before you can blink, you disgusting little troll. And I don't need magic to do it, believe me."

   Severus un-did the locking charm in the door, and Ruth left, scampering barefoot on the cold dungeon floors, scurrying off like a rat from a sinking ship.

   Stella looked at Severus in disbelief. "Just when I thought I'd seen it all. God. Good thing rehearsal really did let out early, or you might have fallen for it." She smirked mischievously.

   "Are we... telling Minerva?"

   "Nah. Not yet, anyway. It's spring break after tomorrow. Let her have a nice long holiday to really stew in it. Really get the maximum anxiety out of her."

   "My evil little witch. You really went full Scarlett O'Hara there at the end. Gods I love you."

********

    Lying in Stella's bed later, Severus held her whilst she cried. "I'm sorry, it's always like this! It's why I can't ever watch it. It's sooo good though. Best movie adaptation of any book, ever." Having an unexpectedly free evening, and wanting to get their minds off of the incident with Ruth, she'd finally agreed to watch The Green Mile with him. She was right; it was brilliant, and heartbreaking. She said her one complaint was that Tom Hanks did a terrible Southern accent.

   He was becoming quite the connoisseur of Muggle films since meeting her. He'd never been one to watch many films, not since his youth at least. But Stella had a big collection, and her enchanted Muggle DVD player, and he had to admit, it was nice to have a quiet evening in bed with a good film once in a while. That Tom Hanks bloke had quite a few decent ones.

   He wondered if she'd decide to tell Minerva about the incident or not. Why did these things always happen just before a school holiday? He knew she'd not want to bother Minerva with it right now, just before spring break. All the students would be gone for two weeks, and Minerva had a holiday in France planned - Stella wouldn't want to ruin that for her. Severus and Hagrid would be looking after the castle whilst she was gone. And Stella, he supposed. She'd not spoken of any plans, so he assumed she'd be staying.

   "Gods, I just realised, I haven't even asked. Did you have any plans for spring break?"

   Stella laughed softly. "I've been too busy to even think about it. I don't know. I suppose I could always go to New York, but I hadn't really planned to. Didn't you say something about collecting flowers in the forest?"

   "Yes, the aestivanox will be blooming on the 18th. I hope you'll still come with me?"

   "Mmm, yeah. Other than that, I don't have any plans. It would be nice to get out somewhere, I haven't left the castle grounds since that night..." She'd been staying in, for fear that the dodgy guy with the camera would show up.

   "I'll go with you, if you want to go anywhere. Perhaps we can have a trip to Feldcroft. Do a bit of shopping, reminisce about old times?" He squeezed her, remembering what had been one of the very best days of his life.

   "Ooh, that would be nice."

   "I did have something I wanted to discuss with you."

   "Oh?"

   "I've been reading that book from the antique shop, the one about potions and music. It's quite interesting. There was some research done on the effects of music on potion-making, but it was nearly two hundred years ago. There hasn't been much work done on the topic since. It made me think... perhaps it's time someone did a bit of research, with more modern methods."

   "What, like Nyctobane?"

   "Yes, among others. There was some promising work done on the effects of music and memory potions. Music is a very powerful memory enhancer. It can have a very positive effect on the brain, on memory... and on memory potions, apparently. I have a feeling that any sort of potion that affects the emotional state could benefit from being imbued with music during the brewing process. But there hasn't been much research done in a long time. It's something I've considered before, but... well, I've never been in a position to look into it. Until now."

   "So... wait, what? What are you proposing?"

   "Well, it would be nice to have a pretty research assistant to handle the musical part. If I ever published anything, I would of course list you as my co-author."

   "And when are we going to find time for all this research? My workload doubled this term... I barely have time to sleep."

   "I know. I was thinking perhaps during school breaks. Like the summer holiday." She was contemplative for a moment. "No pressure, love. If you don't want to, please, just say so."

   "It's not that. I just... it's very flattering that you've asked, but shouldn't you collaborate with someone a bit more... academically inclined than me?"

   "What do you mean?" he asked.

   "I mean, I'm not nearly smart enough to be co-authoring anything, especially scientific research."

   "Love, what on earth do you mean? Of course you're smart enough."

   "That's really sweet of you to say, but I think we both know I'm not exactly your intellectual equal. I'm surprised you ever even liked me at all, honestly. You're actually brilliant, and I'm just... not."

    "How can you say that? You're very intelligent, darling. I'd not be with you if you weren't."

   "All I know how to do is play around with silly songs. I don't even know much classical music. I'm like the B-rated version of a music teacher. Not exactly a hotbed of intellectual discourse."

   "Don't be ridiculous, love. I could talk with you for hours. I have talked with you for hours, many times. We talked about non-soluble plant extracts forever last night."

   "Yeah, because you were explaining it to me. I didn't actually know anything about it."

   "No, but you listened, and took in the information, and asked intelligent questions. That's far more than ninety-nine percent of people would be able to do. And anyway, I couldn't just pick up any random instrument and teach myself to play it, like you can. You even made that potato flute thing sound nice."

   "Music is easy. What you do takes real intelligence."

   "I beg to differ. I couldn't play piano if Beethoven himself tried to teach me. How do you make your hands do completely separate things? It's mind-boggling. I tried learning to read music once, when I was young. No matter how much I tried, it just never made sense in my head. And it's not just that; you teach yourself things all the time. Magical photography, random instruments, new charms... well, everything but herbology. I've lost track of the number of plants you've killed. But I suppose we all have our limits."

    Stella felt her eyes welling up again. He was so sweet, trying to make her feel better. She had to admit, one of her biggest insecurities was feeling like she wasn't smart enough for him. He was just so bloody genius, sometimes she felt like a real dunce in comparison. "Poor Pomona, she tries so hard. I'm hopeless with anything green. Look, I appreciate your sweet words, but you really don't have to humour me. Let's be realistic."

   "I am being realistic. Perhaps you aren't an expert on potions. But you have a deep knowledge of other things, like history. You and Orion talk about things I've never even heard of. You explained all those paintings to me in the art museum in New York. All the history and symbolism. What I thought were just pretty pictures were actually political statements. I'd never have known."

    "Oh, that just comes from reading too many smutty historical romance novels."

   "Stop selling yourself short, love. Even when you're just chatting shite, it's with true wit. You had the entire staff laughing with that throwaway comment about French cheese the other day. That takes intelligence most don't possess."

   "Well, okay then. I'll help you. But I just hope I don't disappoint you."

   "Darling, I love you, and your mind. You are very intelligent. I'd not be with you if you weren't." He kissed her forehead, stroking her cheek with one hand. "Didn't you say you did very well in your lessons at school? You've also got emotional intelligence in spades. I've never seen anyone handle the students with as much loving care as you. Or handle me with as much loving care, for that matter. Merlin knows, that's not exactly easy to do."

   "I wish I had a bit less emotion. It would be nice not to cry over something every damn day."

He kissed her tenderly. "Oh, darling. But then you wouldn't be you. The you that I love." He nuzzled his face into her neck, breathing her in, basking in the feeling of her warm skin against his. "Have you decided whether to tell Minerva or not?"

   "I think I'll wait until the end of term. The students have exams coming up soon, and if Ruth got sacked it would be hard for them. Arithmancy isn't exactly something just anyone can step in and cover. Without a teacher their exam results would suffer. I can't do that to them."

   Severus wasn't surprised. Of course she'd think about the welfare of the students over everything else. "That's actually a good point. I'd not considered that. See? There's that emotional intelligence. Fine, let's not think about her any further then. One more day and then two glorious weeks off."

   "Mmm. God I need a break, I'm exhausted."

   "I know. You've been working yourself to the bone lately. Shall I fetch the lavender oil and pamper you for a bit?"

   "I am smart enough to never say no to an offer like that."

********

   “Here, this is perfect.”  He leads you into a small grassy clearing, where several fallen trees offer a convenient place to sit. The sound of a brook babbles prettily nearby.  You rest on a Scots pine trunk, and hope for a blood-free afternoon.

   “Right.”  Sev sits beside you and takes your hand.  “So the way I see it, once the potion is ready, we’ll need to test that it works.  And the only way to do that is for one of us to curse the other.  Schoolyard hexes are one thing, but to really make sure it works, we need something a bit stronger than a bat bogey hex.”  

   “So… say you curse me, and it rebounds.  Then I need to know the countercurse, right?”

   “Exactly,” he says.  “And… say we do find a way to make the potion stronger.  The curse might intensify to the point that a countercurse won’t work properly. But I may have a way around that.”

   “Might you, now?” You try joking, but your unsteady tone gives away your apprehension.  

   “Yeah.  But I know you’re not going to like it very much.”

   “Somehow I had a feeling… go on then.”

   “Well,” he starts.  “You remember that night when I had to draw blood from you?  Of course you do, you bloody remind me of it all the time.”  You give a single, nervous laughing breath.  “The curse I used to cut you, it’s one I created myself.”

   “You made your own curse?”

   “Yeah,” he says, as if it’s something everyone does in their spare time.  “Ages ago.  It’s called sectumpaulum, and it’s supposed to make a single, small cut into flesh.  And it does, if it’s done properly.  I was a little too overzealous that night.”

   “So I have to do this curse on you, when we test the potion?”

   “Either that, or I do it to you.  Maybe we take it in turns.”

   You mull this over.  “But if we do strengthen the potion, and it rebounds with more power, then what?”

   A languid half-smile spreads over his face.  “That’s exactly why I think we should use that particular spell. Because… I made another one.  One far more powerful.  Same idea, only… with the other curse, the cuts spread, until the person’s lacerated all over and bleeds to death.”  His eyes shine with the same sort of passion he has when experimenting in the lab.

   “Sev, that’s insane… surely you don’t want us using that to test.  We’ll be killed!”

   “No, not sectumsempra, the more powerful one.  The weaker one.  Because then, even if the curse rebounds stronger, we can use the countercurse for sectumsempra to stop it.”

   “Ohhh.”  It does make a lot of sense.  “But why the hell did you create that kind of spell, anyway?”

   The enthusiasm fades, his expression going more somber.  “What I told you about Lupin the other night.  After what happened that night in the Shack, I wanted a way to protect myself, in case he ever got loose during the full moon.  I didn’t know if he might try to seek me out sometime, when he was transformed… I guess that’s pretty unlikely, but at the time I was just really rattled by everything, and wanted a way to protect myself.  So I made these curses.  I’ve never done them on an actual person, except for that one night with you.”

   “So… you made a curse that can actually kill someone?”

   His face drops even further, and his shoulders droop in shame.  “I know.  But honestly, I only did it for protection.  I’d never actually use it unless it were life or death.”  He looks up, his inky eyes behind their long lashes meeting yours.  “Or something innocuous like this.  But also… I thought it might be good for you to know.  There’s been all those attacks lately and… Look, I don’t want you to worry, but I’m sure you can agree, it’s better to be armed than not.”

   This whole discussion has your head reeling.  Part of you is impressed that he’s made these spells from nothing, part of you horrified by it; and yet, you can certainly understand his reasoning.  “I guess that’s true.”

   “You know, I also made that Levicorpus spell everyone was doing back in fifth year.”

   “Really?  You made that?”

   “Yeah, only it somehow got out all over school.  I could never understand how it happened.  I hadn’t told anyone, not even Lily.   I finally realised how when I found out about Potter’s cloak.  One of them must have been around when I was practicing, and spread it around.”  He stops for a brief laugh.  “Flitwick spent ages trying to figure out the source.  He was in the library all hours, looking through old charms books.  It really bothered him that he’d never heard of it.  I heard him talking to Madame Pince about it.  Come to think of it, the fad’s died out.  I haven’t seen anyone doing it in ages.  Not since…  anyway, we should practice.  We can use that dead tree over there.”  

   “Sev, I don’t know if I wanna do this…”  What if it’s like his warming charms? You never seem to be able to do those as well as he does.  What if you end up hurting someone?

   “It’s alright.  You’re really clever, I know you can do it.”

   “But,” you puff.  “I mean, what if I hurt you? I’m not nearly as good as you.  The other night, when you were showing me your memory… I could feel what it’s like, your magic.  It’s so powerful.  Mine’s nothing like that, I still can’t do most spells half as good as you, and I-”

   “Shhh,” he shushes, soothing you before the anxiety escalates any further.  “Stop it.  You’re psyching yourself out.  They’re just spells.  Your magic’s just as good as mine.  Come on, watch me first.”  He stands, then takes you by both hands and helps you up, heading over to the large dead fir.  “Right.  So let’s do the weaker one first.  You want to just barely move your wrist.  The cut will take the shape of whatever movement you make, so don’t overdo it.  Like this.”  He points his wand at the tree, and with a minute downward flick, he casts:  “Sectumpaulum.”  

   Immediately a tiny cut appears in the tree, as if it were just nicked with a knife tip.  “See,” he says.  “No big deal. And if you do it with a bit more power…” He repeats the spell, with more focus this time, and a longer wand flick.  A deeper, more substantial gash appears in the wood.  “Why don’t you try?”

   Even though it’s just a dead tree, you can’t help feeling nervous.  But you don’t want to let Sev down.  Stop being such a baby you admonish yourself in your head.  You grip your wand and stare at the tree, holding your arm out.  “Good,” he says.  “Now just focus on a spot and go for it.”

   You inhale deeply, focus on a particularly smooth spot, and repeat the spell, flicking your wand ever so slightly.  “Sectumpaulum.”  A tickmark-shaped slash appears in the wood.  

   He steps closer to inspect your work.  “Not bad for a first try.  Good casting power.  Try a smoother wrist motion though, jagged cuts are more difficult to heal.”

********

   The sun has shifted slightly past its zenith by the time you feel you’ve perfected the spell.  To be honest, you draw out practicing as long as possible, because you’re still apprehensive about trying the more dangerous version.  But after a litany of successful attempts, Severus decides it’s time to move on.  “So just like the other one, the gashes will follow the shape of your wand movements.  Only, they’ll continue to spread.  Should you be fighting for your life, you want as much movement as possible.  Like this.”  He mimics without his wand, waving his hand around like Zorro’s sword.  “But even a single cut will continue to spread. I’ll show you.”  He faces the tree and casts the curse, making zigzags with his wand.  “Sectumsempra.”

   A series of gashes appear in the wood,  much longer and deeper than with the weaker spell.  “Because the tree’s dead, the cuts won’t spread.  But on a living thing, they will.”  You hesitate, thinking of all the ways this could go wrong.  “Go on,” Sev says.  “You did the other one well.  No reason you can’t do this one, too.”

   “Yeah,” you say morosely, and draw your wand.  “Okay.”  You square your shoulders and aim.  “Sectumsempra.”

   “Nice,” Sev smiles, watching the slashes your spell carves into the tree.  “Wow.  That’s excellent for a first try.  You’re a natural.”

   “Ooh, yay.  Just what I hoped for, a natural talent at deadly curses,” you deadpan.  

   Sev laughs softly and kisses you on the cheek.  “My kind of girl,” he says.  

********

  “Are we finished now?” you ask, having cast Sectumsempra and Sectumpaulum so many times on the dead tree, the wood has begun splintering off in shreds. 

   “Not quite,” Sev responds carefully.

   “I don’t like the sound of that…”

   “I know. It’s just that… remember how I was a little too much when I cut you, that night on the turret?”

   “What a dumb question. How could I forget my near-death experience?”

  He chuckles softly. “And you remind me so often, I reckon even an obliviation charm wouldn’t scrub it from my mind. Anyway, the problem was, I’d been practicing on a dead snuffler, not something alive. And I don’t want you to make the same mistake. We need to have you practice properly.”

   Your blood runs cold.  “And just what do you mean by that?”

   Sev points to the brook.  “We can try it on a fish. We’ll use my mum’s spell to catch one, then we can practice the curse and the counter curse.”

   “But… won’t that hurt the fish?”

   “Initially, yes, but we’ll fix it. It’ll be good as new. Then we’ll let it go.”  The thought makes your stomach churn.  “Look,” he says. “We fed all those carp to the vesper hawks that time.”

   “Yeah but that was the natural circle of life. Just part of the food chain.”

   Sev smirks. “Food chain. Muggle science strikes again.  We caught those pugfish and processed them, didn’t we?”

   “Yeah, but-“

   “And toad testing is standard for potions research. If you want to be a potioneer, you have to accept the not-so-nice bits.”  You stare at your shoes, unable to quell the queasiness in your stomach. Sev puts his arm around your waist. “Well only do it a few times, just to make sure you can do the countercurse. I’ll even obliviate the fish after, though I’m not sure they have much memory… deal?”

   He’s right, isn’t he? Animal testing is a part of research.  “Fine,” you sigh. “But I’m not going to like it.”

   “I didn’t expect you would,” he laughs. 

********

    The carp flops madly on the grass until Sev manages a stunning spell.  It stills, only its mouth moving, opening and closing in a futile attempt to breathe.  Your face scrunches with unease.  He would have to catch the prettiest one, wouldn’t he? Poor fish.

   “Right, I’ll do it first, so you can see how it should go.”  He points his wand at the fish and casts the curse:  “Sectumsempra.”  He keeps his wrist movement small, so only a few tiny slashes appear in the orange and cream flesh; however, the cuts spread, beads of dark red blood surfacing as the gashes lace their way over the scaly skin.  “Carp have very vascular gills, so they bleed quite rapidly,” he intones as if he’s a Muggle science teacher giving a lesson.  “Once the cuts reach the ventral aorta, we won’t have long.”

   “Then do the countercurse already!” you shriek, holding your balled-up fists to your mouth in agitation.

   “Yeah, okay,” Sev snaps back to reality and readies his wand.  “It should be melodic, almost like a song.”  He kneels down, tracing the lacerations with his wand as he speaks the incantation, smooth and melodious like a chanted prayer.  “Vulnera sanentur… vulnera sanentur… vulnera sanentur.” The blood recedes back into the fish’s body; it’s like watching one of Pops’ betamax tapes being re-wound.   The ravaged flesh begins knitting back together, finally healing fully, looking good as new.  “Like that,” Sev says with a little smile.  “Now you try.  The fish won’t last forever out of the water like this.”

   “O-okay,” you say, deciding to just do it and get it over with.  No sense tormenting the fish any longer than necessary.  “You want me to do both?”

   “Yeah.  Do sectumpaulum first though, just so we know you can do it with the right amount of force.  Then do sectumsempra, and the countercurse. C’mon.”  He beckons you to kneel down with him.  “Don’t worry.  I’ll take over if necessary.”

   You take a deep breath to try and steady your nerves, and cast sectumpaulum with a tiny flick of your wand.  Just as expected, a cut roughly one centimetre long appears near the fish’s tail.  “Good,” Sev says.  “That’s really good.  Now the other one.”

   Fuck. You really don’t fancy doing this, but you’ve come this far… “sectumsempra,” you say, giving your wand one small flick, and watching the fish gulp helplessly as a gash spreads over its pretty skin.  “Oh gods oh gods…!”

   “It’s alright.  You can do it.  Nice and slow.  Trace the laceration, and chant it like a song.”  His voice is steady and low, more encouraging than any of your actual professors have ever been.

   “Okay…” You grip your wand tighter and run it along the wounds as you murmur vulnera sanentur, three times like Sev showed you.

   It works; the fish’s flesh heals itself.  It lies still in the grass, gasping more slowly now, staring up at you with its glassy black eye.  “Fix it, please!” you plead. “Obliviate it, put it back in the water, or it’s gonna die!”

   Sev does this quickly, picking it up and placing it gently back into the brook.  It perks up, gulping madly, and swimming away with a splash of its speckled orange tail.  “I never want to do that again,” you proclaim as he conjures some soap suds and rinses his hands in the creek.  

   “You did really well,” he say, taking both your hands to help you up. “I don’t have any qualms about you trying it on me now.”

   Your eyes can’t possibly go any wider. “On you!? No! I can’t!”

   “Then how are we ever going to test the potion?” he says gently. “Just once, just so you know what it’s like on a person. You did the countercurse perfectly. If you keep your wand movement small, you’ll be able to heal me before the cuts spread too far.”

   “I… wait, have you ever done it on a person?”

   “No. Only the weaker one on you that time.”

   “Then… but… No, I can’t! It’s gonna hurt you!”

   “Only briefly,” he shrugs. “You did great with the fish. I have full confidence in you.”

   “Well that makes one of us,” you declare, crossing your arms and turning to stare into the woods behind you. 

   Sev chuckles softly under his breath, and wraps his arms around you from behind. “Is it the blood? You watched Carrie without a single flinch.”

   “But that was just a film. It’s different when it’s real life. And it’s not just the blood. It’s all of it. I can’t believe you made a spell like that! It’s so… dark. And I can’t stand the thought of hurting you like that.  It was bad enough on the fish.”

   “Look,” he sighs into your hair. “I’d been through something really awful, and I was scared it might happen again. I’m not… I’d never…”

   You turn to face him, hands resting at his waist. “I know. I didn’t mean...  I just… I don’t fancy the thought of hurting you. That’s all.”

   He leans down slightly, resting his forehead against yours.  “Just once. So you’re fully prepared when we test the potion, yeah?”

   You frown, but nod.  A quick peck on your lips, and he stands back, ready to be cursed. “Do it on my arm,” he says, holding out his left one and pushing up his jumper sleeve. “On the back, so it’s less likely to sever a vein.”  

   The stone already taking up residence in your stomach grows heavier. Just do it quick, like the fish, you try psyching yourself up. “Okay. Fuck. Okay.” You point your wand and breathe deeply through your nose to steady yourself.  Maybe if I say it softly it’ll hurt less. “Sectumsempra.” Your voice is nearly a whisper, and you give your wand the tiniest flick possible. Even so, the blood appears at once, flowing steadily from the small gash, as the cut begins to grow longer. Sev draws in a hissing breath through his teeth, but stands steady, his eyes flicking down to his bleeding arm. “Oh gods! Shit!” Tracing the path of the laceration with your wand, you murmur the countercurse just as you did with the fish.  Sev hisses again as the skin begins to heal.  Luckily it doesn’t take long; the tiny cut hasn’t spread very far yet. 

   “See?” he says, trying to speak normally, but breathing hard.  “I knew you could do it. Blimey, that actually really hurts.  No wonder you passed out that night.”

   “I am NOT doing that again,” you declare, taking his arm to peer closely at the disappearing wound. “But I have to admit, it’s brilliant how the blood goes back in. How the hell did you manage that?”

   He grins, his chest still heaving as he catches his breath. “There’s a lot you can do with blood and magic, particularly when it hasn’t yet disconnected from the body. I found some pretty wild stuff in the restricted section my third year, when Madame Pince was distracted. Hadassah Kagan wrote about it in the sixth century, but I had to transcribe the runes. Simple enough, with the right resources. Gods, if only I’d had access to your father’s books back then…”. He stops, probably because you’re staring at him like he’s Merlin himself. “What?” he asks. “It’s no-“

   Your sudden searing kiss cuts him off.  “Gods alive Sev, you really are a fucking genius.”

*******

   You manage to talk him into a few hours of relaxation before heading back to the lab, having brought a blanket, some sandwiches, and a few books you knew would pique his interest.  He’s lying on his side, idly paging through a reprint of an 18th century tome on the distillation of nocturnal plant nectars with his head in your lap.  Your hands are busy running through his hair, which is especially soft today - he’s improved on the recipe for his coconut conditioner, and has even started using it himself.  

   “So what other spells have you created, then?” you ask.  “Surely you didn’t go from levitation to mutilation just like that.”  You snap your fingers for effect. 

   “Heh.  No, not quite.  There was muffliato; you’ve seen me use that one.”

   “Mmm, yeah. Big Ben. That was… unforgettable.”  You smile to yourself, remembering how you could feel the toll of the gargantuan bell reverberating through your whole body, snug in Sev’s arms with your lips locked to his, your ears protected by his muffling spell.  

   “Gods, yeah.”  You can hear the smile on his lips even if you can’t fully see his face. “In third year, I made the langlock curse.  It makes someone’s tongue stick to the roof of their mouth, so they can’t speak.”

   “Oh?”  Your laugh peals out over the clearing.  “Why’d you make that?”

   “I wanted to shut Potter up for good, or for a good long time, anyway.  And it worked, at least until Madame Pomfrey got him unstuck.  He was running his mouth at lunch one day about how fucking good he reckons he is at Quidditch.  He was in the courtyard where they usually hang out, but I could hear him from the corridor nearby, so I found an open window and stuck my wand out.  No one saw me.  I didn’t feel bad about it, because he’d tripped me on the way to class that morning. Gods, that was a great day.”

   You giggle even more.  “You’ll have to show me sometime.”

   “Once I knew that one worked so, I got a bit more creative. I wanted something that would incapacitate, but also be embarrassing - and amusing; to me, anyway.  So I made a jinx that accelerates the growth of toenails by three hundred percent.  Tried it on Potter once, to hilarious effect.  He was in hospital for a whole week.”

   “Okay, that one’s just downright weird,” you laugh.  “How’d you go from petty podiatric pranks to deadly laceration?”

   “Like I said, it was borne from wanting to protect myself after Black nearly got me killed. So I just did a bit of research, a little experimentation, and that was that,” he shrugs.

   “That was that, huh?  Easy peasy?”

   “Yeah, actually.  I think I could make a spell for anything.  It really isn’t that hard.  I don’t know why everyone acts like it's some mysterious, impossible thing to do.”

   “Because for most people, it is,” you reply, your laughter both mirthful and incredulous.  “Merlins’s saggy tits, Sev.  I honestly think you’re a once-in-a-generation prodigy.  And you don’t even seem to realise it.”

   He shrugs again. “I prefer potions, really. Spells are almost too easy. Potions require more thought. You have to work for the right outcome. Spells, they just happen, really.”

   “I can assure you they do not just happen. Not for me. And not for the vast majority of people. Pops said he can’t even remember the last time a new spell was certified, that’s how rare it is. Gods Sev, you’re… I don’t even have words for how brilliant you are. Your mind, your magic… it’s like you’re from a whole different dimension.”

   “Maybe you should contact Rod Sterling,” he says, closing his book rotating round so he’s facing you. He curls up like a kitten, head still in your lap, and shuts his eyes. You brush his hair away from his face, lightly stroking his temple with your thumb. “Mmm. That’s nice,” he murmurs.

    “So do they know you’ve made all these spells? Your Slytherin associates?”

   “I shared a few of the less serious ones, years ago. But never the ones we did today. I’ve never told anyone about those. Only you.”

   “Do they ever ask you to create things for them? I mean… dark things?” 

   His shoulder hitches as he sighs. “Lucius used to ask me for things. I think he was feeling me out, seeing what I’m capable of. I made him a nasty stinging spell, one that’s really long-lasting. But I haven’t made spells on demand in years.  They finally stopped asking me last year.  And even if they did, I wouldn’t indulge them. Not any more. I know what sort of thing they’ll be doing with it, and it’s reprehensible. I don’t want to be part of it.”  He’s quiet for a moment, breathing slowly whilst you continue playing with his hair. “You’ve gone very quiet,” he finally says.

   “Just… thinking,” you reply. 

   “Don’t think too hard, or you’ll come to your senses,” he says, suddenly melancholy. 

   “What? What does that mean?”

   “Not an insult.  I meant… you’ll come to your senses about me.”

   “Why would you say that?”

   “Because it’s true. I still don’t understand what I did to deserve you as a friend, let alone a girlfriend.”

   “You didn’t have to do anything except be yourself,” you say. “That’s how it works. You meet someone, you like each other, you become friends.”

   “If only it were really that simple.”

   “It was for us, wasn’t it?” you say. “Despite your best efforts.”

   “I guess I’m just… distrustful, when nice things happen to me. I’m still waiting for the fallout.”

   “Sev, why do you always do this? Start crying into your tea when we’re talking like this?”  He just sighs and shakes his head slightly.  “Are you worried I’ll think badly of you, because you made those spells?”

   “Most people do.”

   “Look,” you say, continuing to stroke his hair.  “I know what it’s like. I’ve always had a fascination with dark things… Muggle murder stories when I was a kid, then learning about dark magic later. It’s just so interesting looking at what magic - or muggles even - can really do, for good or bad. Reading about people who really push the limits. But there’s a difference between being compelled to learn about something and actually doing it. I love reading about that stuff, but doing a curse on a fish made me feel ill.  And I know you’re the same way.  Maybe you made those spells, but you only ever used the non-lethal ones, and only when provoked.”

   “But that’s just it. I can’t deny that I actually wanted to use magic to feel powerful, or hurt people who hurt me.  Fuck, I still feel the urge to hurt them, especially after what happened to you. 

   “No one wants to feel powerless,” you say. “And of course you want revenge on people who hurt you. It’s only human. And brilliant though you may be, you are, in fact, still a human.”  You laugh softly. “Unless there’s something else you need to tell me?”

   “No,” he says, chortling slightly. “Though it was amusing for those three seconds you thought I might be a werewolf. Did he ever tell Dru, by the way?”

   “I don’t think so. Will Burrell’s asked her to the ball now, so I think he’s lost his last chance. Which is sad, but I kept telling him she wouldn’t wait around forever.”

   “Mmm. Anyway, human or not, I’ve just… never been able to act like one, I suppose. To be like everyone else. They make it look so easy. But I’ve always had to think ten steps ahead.  Which I suppose is exactly what I’m doing now. Looking for any possible way this might go wrong.”

   Hearing him talk like this breaks your heart. “You once told me that you felt lighter with me. Like you didn’t have to think.”

   “I still do,” he says earnestly. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And… gods, I just don’t want to lose you.”

   “Don’t you realise you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, too?” you ask. “I love you.  And I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

   He finally relents, allowing a half-smile to grace his face. “I’m sorry.  I really am a neurotic git.”

   “You really are. But I love you anyway. Now get up and kiss me, you neurotic git.”

  She was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard with her knees drawn up when he entered the room half an hour later - deeply engrossed in his special vintage Playboy.  “At last,” she sighed.  “I thought you’d forgotten me.  I hope you don’t mind.  This was under the pillow.”  

   “I believe you were instructed to ruminate on your misdeeds?  Not take the liberty of perusing my personal property?”  

   “I thought very hard about my wrongs, sir. Really I did.”  Her tone was one hundred percent brat.  “But unlike you, I don’t have a mind that can occupy itself for long stretches. And I was told not to touch myself.   And this… well, it’s certainly stimulating.”  She stretched out on her stomach, kicking her legs about in the air whilst she opened the magazine to the centrefold.  The shiny black heels she was still wearing glinted in the light of the bedside lamp.  “Oh my, what’s this then?  “The Professor’s Perfect Assistant?”  How very interesting… and a vintage edition as well.  Quite rough around the edges, isn’t it?  Mmm, I can tell you’ve enjoyed this particular issue quite a bit”

   His silken baritone cut through her like a hot knife through butter. “A man has needs, Miss.”

   "You'd be surprised. He's actually quite the romantic, it seems. Stella is a lucky lady."

   Nigel flashed his cheeky grin at her. "I'd say he's the lucky one in that duo! Speak of the devil..."

   Stella had popped in to put a note in Beth's inbox. "Not talking about me, are you Nige?"

   "Only good things, Stella Belle! Miriam tells me you've got a romantic evening planned."

   "Mmm-hmm. Oh, we're going to Hogsmeade for the afternoon, did you want me to ask Stevie about that dress for you?" she asked Miriam.

   "Only if it's no trouble."

   "No trouble, I need to pick up something there anyway. Well, see you tonight, I think we're meeting at the apparition point at seven?"

   "Yes, seven. See you both tonight! I've not been dancing in ages, I hope I still remember how!"

   "If not, we'll just enchant your feet," Stella said with a wink. "Bye, Nige. Behave yourself."

   "No promises!"

   Stella took her leave. Once the clicking of her heels had faded away, Nigel grabbed the papers from his inbox and said goodbye to Miriam. "I've just remembered I need to send an urgent owl. Have a lovely evening!" He left, heading briskly for the owlery. Thanks for the intel, Stella Belle. Very useful info indeed...

********

   Once they were off castle grounds, Severus took her hand, and they had a nice walk into Hogsmeade. Springtime was beginning to make its return; the weather was still chilly, but the sun was bright and the sky clear. Lovely as the day was, however, Severus was on his guard, looking out for the creep who'd been following Stella last Thursday.

   Thankfully, the dodgy bloke seemed to have disappeared, and they had a leisurely stroll through the village, browsing through the shops. Stella was looking through a cabinet of jewellery in one corner of Alice's Antiques when Severus wandered to the other end of the shop to peruse a shelf of books.

   "Hello, lovely to see you," Alice said to Severus. "Those just came in; this one might be of interest." She pulled a leather-bound volume called Musickal Magick for Potiones, and handed it to him. He looked it over with interest.

   "Thank you. I'll take this one actually, if that's alright."

   "Of course! I'll just leave it at the counter for you. By the way..." she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Has she seen it yet?"

   "No, not yet. Soon," he replied quietly, with a slight smile. 

   "Ahh." Alice gave him a knowing smile and headed to the counter.

********

   Severus couldn't bring himself to accompany her into the lingerie shop. It just seemed... wrong. What if a student saw him? Gods, I'd never hear the end of it in lessons. Instead he spent some time in the bookstore across the lane, where he'd at least be nearby if that creepy bloke showed up again. After a while, he saw her through the bookshop window, heading out with a large bag. He very much looked forward to exploring the contents later...

   She was just stepping out of the shop when a man in long robes and a big hat appeared as if from nowhere and snapped a photo, the sudden movement startling her. He disappeared as quickly as he'd come, leaving Stella stunned on the shop steps, blinking from the bright camera flash.

   Severus swooped over, putting a protective arm around her and drawing her close. "Was that him?"

   "Yeah. God, he came and went out of nowhere. He must have apparated. Who the hell is he?"

   "I thought perhaps it might be... someone from my past. But I don't recognise him."

   "I'm actually getting scared now. Why does he keep taking pictures of me?"

   "Don't worry, darling. I won't leave your side. If he comes back he's going to regret it."

   "Should we go home?"

   "No, let's not allow some creep to spoil your day. I'll make sure nothing happens. Besides," he said, "I did promise to buy you something pretty."

   Stella still felt a bit unnerved, but Sev seemed sure it would be alright. I guess once you've dealt with the Dark Lord, some creep with a camera is child's play. "Well, if you insist... Stevie did say she had some new things in..."

********

   "So then I slapped the hell out of him, right there in the middle of the dance floor. It made the papers the next day. I still have a copy somewhere," Stella said over the table at Dillinger's. "I haven't watched any of his movies since."

   Orion and Miriam were laughing heartily at the story. "I had no idea she was such a spitfire, Severus!" Orion said, wiping a tear from his eye.

   "You don't know the half of it," Severus returned. "Ask her about last year's Yule Ball."

   The sommelier brought over more wine, sparing Stella from having to share that thrilling tale.

   "That's just gorgeous," Miriam said, pointing to Stella's necklace - the one Severus had given her, the one that had belonged to his mother.

   "Thank you. It was a very generous gift," she said, giving Severus an adoring gaze.

   "Marching earrings as well! He really does spoil you properly, doesn't he? You should take notes!" she said with a laugh, looking at Orion.

   "Is my scintillating company not enough?" he answered back merrily.

   "Oh, it's lovely, dear. But diamonds - or emeralds - are a girl's best friend..."

********

   The ladies room at Dillingers was nearly the size of Stella's chambers, including a powder room with a row of ornate vanities. Stella was sat at one touching up her makeup after the meal, thinking how nice it was to be out with friends.

   "Your dress is gorgeous," said the woman at the vanity next to her. "You had a beautiful one last time as well, I recall." Stella looked over to see the striking image of Narcissa Malfoy, delicately patting powder onto her face. "Is it a Stevie Drysdale?"

   "It is." She smiled politely. "Good eye."

   "I love her designs," Narcissa said. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't I see you in an ad for her boutique? In Witch Weekly?"

   Stella began to blush. "Oh, um... well, Stevie's a friend of mine, she talked me into it."

   "Lovely." She turned back to her mirror. Stella carried on refreshing her lipstick in her own mirror.

   "How did you and Severus meet?" Narcissa asked after a moment.

   Stella wasn't sure how she should answer.  Honestly, I suppose. "We met at Hogwarts."

   Narcissa's eyes widened a bit. "Hogwarts? You must be a professor, then?"

   "I teach the new music classes."

   "Ah. You... don't sound like you're from around here."

   "Oh, I'm not. I moved here from the States."

   Narcissa gave a hmm of acknowledgement. "It's good to see he's doing well. I suppose you must know... I owe him quite a debt of gratitude. It would be nice to thank him properly sometime."

   Stella wasn't sure what to say. She knew Severus had absolutely no desire to have contact with the Malfoys ever again. Narcissa continued. "Well, if he ever fancies a chat, do send an owl." She stood to leave. "Have a lovely evening, um... sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

   "Stella. You as well." Stella watched in the mirror as Narcissa left the room. God, that's twice now. Do they live here or something?

********

   Severus watched with smug pride as Stella returned to the table. She looked ravishing in her dark green gown, and he was quite pleased that she'd worn the jewellery. His mother never had, and it seemed pointless to keep it tucked away in a box, never to be seen. He recalled once as a young child, his mother had shown it to him, and said he could give it to a very special lady one day in the future. Well Mum, here she is, he thought. An unexpected pang of melancholy rose in his chest. He had a large gulp of wine and shook off the sentimentality before it became too much.

   "Fair warning," Stella said quietly once she sat down. "The Malfoys are here. Narcissa was in the powder room."

   Severus wasn't pleased, but he wasn't going to let them ruin the night. "Hmpf. It's as if they live here. Well, Miriam and Orion are already on the dance floor. Shall we?"

   "I thought you'd never ask."

   The band was playing an instrumental version of Etta James's At Last; they joined the other couples on the floor and danced slowly, Stella marvelling again at how light on his feet Severus could be. Beyond the dance floor, at a table near the front of the room, she spotted the Malfoys: Lucius with his bad wig, Narcissa, and a young man who was obviously their son. He was handsome, with the same platinum blonde hair as his father, slicked back like a character from The Great Gatsby. Beside him sat a pretty young woman with chestnut hair. Beautiful people, bad wig aside. Too bad they're evil, Stella thought. She turned her attention back to her own beautiful man, smiling up at him as they swayed to the music.

   They danced for several songs, enjoying the ambiance and each other's company, lost in their own little world, until Orion came over and proposed swapping partners for a song or two. "Don't worry, I'll bring him back in one piece!" Miriam said with a giggle.

   "I wonder if you might be able to help me?" Orion asked Stella as they danced to Body and Soul. "Miriam's birthday is next month, and I want to get her something nice. She likes jewellery like yours. Would you mind giving your opinion, helping me pick out something?"

   Stella beamed happily and leaned in closer to speak. "Of course! There's Bewitching Gems in Hogsmeade, or Alice always has nice things at the antique shop. We could even go tomorrow if you're free. How -"  A blinding flash of light stopped her in her tracks. It took a moment for her vision to return, "What the..."

   Severus was over in an instant, having swooped Miriam over briskly. "He's here, the bastard. Are you alright, love?"

   "I'm okay, just blind... what the...? How'd he know I was here?"

   "Is everything alright?" Orion asked, confused.

   "There's a dodgy man who's been following Stella around. He's just taken a photo." He looked around the room. "Is he still here?"

   "I don't see him," she said.

   "Please," Severus said to Orion. "You two keep dancing, don't let us spoil your night. I think we should speak to the host. We'll be back."

   They had a word with the host, who confirmed that no solo patrons had come in that evening, and none had reservations for later. He'd not recalled seeing anyone matching the description of the creep. He further confirmed that there was nothing stopping anyone apparating in and out of the building; they didn't typically require security of that nature.

   "Maybe we should go home, honey. This is scary."

   Severus sighed. He had no idea what was going on, and hated that she felt unsafe. "Alright, love. Let's just go tell them that we're leaving."

   As they were heading to the dance floor, passing by the Malfoy's table, Narcissa spoke. "Hello, Severus."

   He stopped. "Narcissa," he said flatly.

   "Evening, Sir." Draco was smiling slightly at him.

   "Hello, Draco."

   "We're celebrating Draco and Astoria's engagement," Narcissa said. The young lady held up a hand, showing off a massive diamond ring that glinted ostentatiously in the light. Sheesh, thought Stella. That thing oughta have a highball around it. 

   Severus remembered Miss Greengrass from potions class. No surprise she was marrying into the Malfoy family; a pretty, rich pureblood girl for a pretty, rich pureblood boy. I suppose I'll be teaching their pretty, rich pureblood children in about twelve years time. 

   "Congratulations," said Stella, mostly out of reflex.

   "Yes, congratulations," Severus intoned. "We were just leaving." Just as he took Stella's hand to leave, another blinding flash startled them. Severus looked around, wand drawn, but didn't spot the culprit. "Come, darling, let's make our apologies and get out of here." He took Stella's hand and led her back to the dance floor, where they explained their early departure to Orion and Miriam, before exiting the building.

   Severus looked around, wand at the ready. "I don't see him, love. Let's go." He apparated them back to the castle grounds, and they went to Stella's chambers.

   Stella shut the door behind her and stood before him with a lost look on her face, similar to how she'd looked the night of the Blissbane incident. It tugged at his heart. He hated seeing her upset. He pulled her into a close embrace, and she sighed deeply. "I just don't understand. Who the hell is he? Why is he following me? How does he know where I'll be?"

   He wished he had answers for her. "I don't know, love. But I think you'd better stay on the castle grounds for now, for the next few days at least. I'll ask around, see if I can find out anything. You're safe here. No one can go past the boundaries without permission. I promise, you're safe here."

   A few tears of frustration flowed down her cheeks. "I never thought a castle could feel like a prison."

********

Sunday, 1st April 2001

   "End of passion play, crumbling away, I'm your source of self-destruction...". Stella sang softly as she idly plucked at the ukulele. She'd come to her classroom to prep for lessons, but got distracted trying to play Master of Puppets on the ukulele. Something about Metallica done on the ukulele really tickled her.

   She was toying with the chorus when Nigel appeared. "Not out enjoying the sun, Stella Belle?"

   "Not today, too much to do."

   “Yes, I can see you're busy with something very important!" His laugh pealed off the high ceiling. "Enjoy yourself last night?"

   "Yeah," she said flatly.

   "You seem down, chiquita. What's wrong? Not a lovers quarrel, I hope?"

   "No. Just..." she sighed, too stressed to be coy. "Some weird guy has been following me around for days. He shows up everywhere, and he keeps taking pictures of me. I have no idea who he is, and it's really freaking me out."

   Nigel had an odd expression on his face. "Ohh... that sounds tough."

   "Yeah, it is. I don't feel safe leaving the castle now. It's like I'm on house arrest. He apparates in and out; we can never catch him fast enough to do anything about it. He even accosted me in the restaurant last night. We had to leave. We barely even got to dance."

   "Maybe he's just a big fan of your work in Witch Weekly!" Nigel laughed again. Stella didn't.

   "I'm glad you find this funny, because I sure as hell don't."

   "Sorry, I -" Nigel spotted Severus at the classroom door. "I was just leaving. Take care, yeah?" He dashed out like greased lightning.

   "Hi, honey," she said tiredly. "All sorted?" Severus had been setting up for tomorrow's lessons in the potions class, and they were going to visit Reina the phoenix after.

   "Mmm. Are you alright?"

   "Yeah. Just... tired, I guess." She put her arms around him, feeling more secure immediately.

   "After bird duty, why don't you have a long nap. I'll even let you put your cold feet on me."

   She smiled. "An offer I can't refuse."

********

   Surprised to find Nigel knocking at her door on a Sunday, Ruth beckoned him in and shut the door. "I've got some bad news. She's on to us."

   "No!"

   "I’m afraid so. She's spotted our paparazzo. Said he's been following her for days, popping up everywhere taking pictures. I thought you said he was a pro?"

   "He said he was!"

   "Well, he's not very stealthy. She's seen him multiple times. We'd better call it off."

   "Hmm. Well, he's sent over some photos today, it might be enough. I'm meeting with Irma next Saturday anyway, not sure we'd uncover much over the next five days. I'll owl him, tell him the jig is up."

   "I think you better. If Snape ever does catch him, he's done for. And that'll mean we're done for."

   "Not to worry, Nigey-boy. Leave it with me." She grinned maniacally as she reached for a quill and parchment.

********

   "D'aww, look at her, all aflutter! She knows her Mummy!" Reina chirped merrily from the boot nest as Stella approached, and hopped up eagerly to perch on her hand.

   "Hi pretty girl!" Stella cooed over the bird as if it were a human baby. Her first feathers had grown in nicely, in shades of deep purple. She looked like a proper bird now rather than a plucked chicken.

   "Reckon yeh can take her home today! She's been flyin' all o’er the house lately!"

   "Really?" Stella asked, delighted.

   "Yeah, she's more than ready! Yeh can get her a nice perch in Hogsmeade, til then I've made this, it'll do fer now." He sat a small perch on the table, handmade from some oak branches. "Take her to lessons with yeh, let her bond with yeh, they like a bit o' music, phoenixes do."

   "Thank you so much, I know I'll have more questions for you later. Well, let's go home, baby girl!" Reina chirped happily and flew onto Stella's shoulder.

   "Here's a bag o'seed, she'll fly off and find her own food too. Don't worry if she leaves, she'll always come back home."

   Severus took the bag and the perch. "Thank you again, Hagrid. I'd say she's more than thrilled."

   "It weren't no trouble a'tall. Look at yeh, a happy little family!"

   Stella giggled and they headed out. "Well, not exactly a half-bat, but she's cute."

   "She's got your looks, darling. Thank gods."

********