Please Come Home

June, 1997

Severus sat in the abandoned castle that was being held as the Dark Lord's lair until the crisis surrounding Dumbledore's assassination quieted. There was a mass celebration with Severus Snape as the honored favorite of the Dark Lord. Narcissa and Draco huddled in the corner away from it all. They were terrified of being killed because Draco had failed in his mission to kill Dumbldore himself. The boy would be punished, as would his father when they could break him out of Azkaban. However, Snape had proven himself to his Master beyond anything Voldemort ever dreamed. If ever was the time to be given a boon, it would be now.

"What shall I give you, Severus? You only have to ask and it shall be given to you. You have proven yourself to be my most loyal servant. You will stand at my right-hand side from now on, my boy. I have never been so pleased with you!"

"My Lord, I have only one desire. I know it is much to ask since it caused a great deal of trouble and strife for you in the past. However, since you ask, I shall go about this the proper way. I ask that you please recall Alissa Devon from her duties for a time that I may enjoy her company. I have been alone for so long now, I truly desire her companionship."

"So, after all this time, the torch has not gone out?"

"No, my Lord, I care for her deeply, and I wish that I may have a season to enjoy her and rest before we attack our enemies."

"So you shall, Severus, so you shall. I will have Yaxley deliver her to you, and you shall have your 'season of rest' during this summer. But only for a month. Starting towards the end of July there shall be duties to perform. Then you shall be Headmaster just as soon as we can topple the ministry and officially take over Hogwarts."

"Thank you, my Lord. I am so very weary. May I please be excused now from the festivities? I am very weak in my body and mind."

"Certainly, Severus, my most trusted servant. You have earned your rest. You shall have your witch very soon."

Not soon enough, Snape thought as he collapsed into his bed. He sighed in relief. At least here he was safe for now, and he would have a month to forget and perhaps enjoy life a little. As he lay there, his mind went over many things. He thought of Alissa and their relationship, of the things she had told him and had done for him. He had known for a while now that she was truthful in her love. She really did love him. That was hard to accept. Now, no friends, no home, no one to know what he had sacrificed, he felt as vulnerable as a child. He needed her. He wanted her here with him, but most importantly, he needed to know that she still would still feel the same about him when she found out what he had done. He could not bear to stay here in the enemy's lair without one person who truly cared for him. At least Alissa will be here. She just can't believe I murdered Albus in cold-blood. She can't hate me. She said that whenever I needed her, she would come to me. Well, Alissa, I need you so desperately, please come home...

***

Alissa had been holed up in Latvia when the news came of the Death Eaters breaching Hogwarts. She Apparated back in time to assist the Order, but had no idea of Dumbledore's assassination. After she had seen Snape and the young Malfoy boy escape safely, she returned post haste back to Latvia. Luckily for her, the wizards she was working with were complete idiots! It had taken everything within her to keep her composure when Yaxley told her that Snape had been the one to do it when the Malfoy brat had turned coward. She had sat in that shack of a hideout and listened to the whole sordid story.

Alissa was tired. For days, they had been on yet another "hot" trail to finding Gregorovitch, but the source had ended up a non-starter, of course. It was becoming rather tedious to continue feigning her rage and disappointment. In fact, she was just plain sick and tired of being the lone witch with these pitiful excuses for wizards. She had taken Rabastan and Jugson with her this time, but they were as vicious as Avery and Macnair were inept. She had to watch her back constantly. Rabastan was a foul, lecherous pig, and he had tried on many occasions to bed her. It was only due to her skill as a duelist that kept him from raping her.

Therefore, Yaxley's appearance was just what she needed to break the tension. Honestly, she had no more leads and she was weary. Yaxley told her not to worry; she was being recalled.

"What the devil for?" she had fumed. "I've been on this mission longer than anyone! Why am I now being recalled back to the Dark Lord?"

"Hold on, missy!" he snapped back at her. "I am to escort you back to the Dark Lord as a boon to his new favorite. Severus Snape has asked for you to be his reward."

Rabastan and Jugson howled with laughter.

"Looks like now you'll be working for the Dark Lord on your back!" jeered Rabastan.

She sneered at the wizard. "You're just jealous of the fact I'm more than willing to spread my legs for Snape!"

The men were silent now.

"Well, come on then, Yaxley. Let us not keep our hero from his reward and due comforts!" she said as she smiled viciously at the wizards she was leaving behind.

***

As they reached the old abandoned castle, Alissa could not push away her sense of doom. She recalled Severus telling her that he would come to this point, that all ties to the Order would be cut, and she would be his only lifeline. She imagined all sorts of scenarios, but this? Killing Dumbledore? She wanted to believe in him so much. He swore to her he would never give his allegiance to the snake. Dumbledore had never told her the signal she would receive when she could go ahead and track down Gregorovitch for real. Perhaps it was better this way. She needed to see him, to look into his eyes and know the truth. Maybe he had the answers now. Surely, he would not deceive her.

She walked slowly into the Throne Room and was greeted warmly by the Dark Lord.

"My dear child! How happy I am to see you! I am very disappointed that your searches have given me no more leads to what I most desire, and normally you would have to be punished, but Severus has asked as his reward for ridding me of that meddlesome old fool...you!"

He leaned back into his throne and watched for her reaction.

"I am pleased, my Lord. You know Severus is the only man I have ever desired. I am more than happy to oblige him in anyway he requires, as I am more than happy to do your will, Master," she said stoically, trying desperately to hide her nervousness. She wondered how close to death that she might have been if Severus had not asked for her.

"Very well. I have given you and Severus part of the summer. You may stay here or travel elsewhere. All I require is that Severus be available to begin his work for me towards the end of July. I also shall be making him Headmaster once I rid the Ministry of that mangy lion, Scrimgeour."

"Certaintly, my Lord. I shall endeavor to help replenish Severus and return him to you happy, healthy, and ready for your plans."

He smiled with a sinister look in his eyes and dismissed her. She went to Severus' room and knocked timidly on the door.

He opened the door a crack, and when he saw her, he scooped her up into his arms and kicked the door closed behind him. He held her close to him and kissed her face, whispering how much he had missed her. Alissa pushed him away, and his eyes flashed in anger.

"What, all these years of panting after me, and once I express my need for you, you push me away?" he growled.

"It's not that, Severus," she answered weakly. "We'll have more than enough time to enjoy one another. I just have to talk to you about Dumbledore."

"You know I can not speak of this here. Know that I need you, and I need to know you still want me and believe in me."

He looked so sorrowful that she wanted to cry. She sat at his desk and steepled her hands as she considered him. Her hair was tousled from the weather and travel, her eyes were blackened from exhaustion, and she was wearing the most foul Muggle sweater in creation. She felt positively disgusting.

"Severus, I am in desperate need of a bath. I am exhausted, and I must look like the devil himself!"

"No," he replied softly as he took her hand and led her to his lap. "I've never seen you look lovelier. Please, Alissa, I need you." He quickly stripped her and released himself from his trousers. He lay on top of her and entered her swiftly.

He was urgent and passionate. It was so different from the other times they had been together. He laid himself bare and whispered his need for her, his need for her to be with him, to stay by his side, to comfort him. But most of all, his desperate need for her to believe him.

She was far too exhausted to try to orgasm, so she watched as he moaned her name and told her he loved her. She was touched by his fervor and openness. She brushed his hair from his face so she could watch him as he climaxed. It was so exquisite to behold. She sighed a deep sigh of contentment and held him to her. He buried his face into her hair and whispered into her ear, "I was a selfish bastard, Alissa. I used you so terribly when you first came to me. You were so honest and loving, and I used you horribly. I'm so very sorry."

"Hush, let's not speak of these things tonight. Sleep now and rest your mind," she whispered. Soon, they fell into a deep and satisfying sleep.

***

Severus and Alissa left the snake's lair as soon as they could gather their things and prepare. Severus took her to Muggle Ireland where they spent the month in Dublin, Belfast, and then traveled south to Waterford. They eventually settled in a cottage outside Waterford and rested.

They lived like Muggles, exploring the world through new eyes. They slept when they wanted to sleep, ate when they felt like eating, and spent days louging in bed, making love and learning about each other.

Severus filled her in on the last days before the battle. He told her about Potter's attack on Draco Malfoy with the Sectumsempra Curse he had created. It was just before the battle at Hogwarts.

He leaned onto his side and looked at her suspiciously.

"Were you there that night?"

She smiled that perfect smile and said, "Of course!"

"Who do you think spelled the entranceway to the tower so that only a person with a Dark Mark could cross it? Of course that also meant I wouldn't be able to, but my work was in the main area. It was extremely difficult to pretend that I was 'helping' when all I really did was keep the children and Order members safe. That Weasley girl, she is one ruthless fighter! She kept on and on after Carrow..."

"Which one?" Severus asked.

"The brother."

Alissa continued. "What angered me the most was that animal, Greyback. I couldn't stop the Weasley girl from getting killed and keep him away from Bill Weasley. He's alright, I hope?"

"As far as I have heard, he will survive, although if he will become a werewolf, only time will tell."

"Severus, it was so maddening. It really gave me a true dose of what life must be like for you every day! I saw in a split second Gibbon cast the Killing Curse at Lupin. I managed to slide Lupin to the side...the curse just barely missed him, and then I took Gibbon down once I isolated him. I managed to absorb some minor injuries. That poor Longbottom boy took a header on that barrier and busted up his face royally!" She laughed and apologized. "I shouldn't laugh. He's a very brave lad, a true Gryffindor if ever there was one; it's just when he goes, he goes for broke!"

Snape chuckled at her laughter. "I suppose that could have been my outlook on his attempts at potion making. He certainly made sure if he was going to cock up a potion, it was going to be in a big way!"

They laughed and laughed. Until finally Severus told her about his confrontation outside with Potter as he was trying to flee.

"Yes," said Alissa. "I saw it happen; I was Disillusioned. He wanted to kill you. You must be more cautious now than ever. He is confused, and Dumbledore, I fear, did not prepare the boy for the duties and trials that are to come. Ah, well! What can one do? I followed you all the way to the Apparation point and waited for you and Draco to disappear...fucking hippogriff!"

Severus placed a warm hand on her chest just above her cleavage and stroked the satiny skin there. "I needed you but I could not ask," he choked out.

"I know that, Severus, I know..."

***

The Emerald Isle did not haunt him. His passion for green was being replaced by dark, warm eyes and long, black hair so much like his own. They spoke of confidences and of the secrets over the years. She told him of Igor Karkaroff's attempts at seduction, and he told her of the whores he frequented over the years in his loneliness. He told her more about Lily and how much he had loved her and missed her so desperately, sometimes he could barely breathe. She told him she had always felt that way about him, of the three years at Hogwarts waiting for him to return and then leaving for Durmstrang and feeling a part of her had suddenly died.

He was brushing her long hair, running his hands through it and inhaling her scent as she spoke.

"It never stopped? I never faded in your mind?" he asked quietly.

To this Alissa leaned to face him more directly. "Has it not ever faded for you and Lily?"

He did not want to answer what she already knew. Yet, it did not bother her.

She faced him and leaned in so close they might have kissed.

"Severus had his Lily. Alissa had her Severus."

***

He was amazed that she was so enthralled by him. It was beyond his understanding that a woman would feel for him what he felt for Lily. But here she was and always had been. She was a fearless warrior who had placed herself in front of him so he would not have to be punished, time and again. He didn't know a lot about love, never had the time or women interested in him for that particular emotion. Yet here she was, the raven-haired henchwoman to the most evil wizard in Britain, and she adored him.

She made him feel handsome. She made him feel capable of anything, as if life could be restarted and the past just a minor inconvenience. The more time he spent alone with her, the more he fell in love with her. It was a feeling he had never believed was real. He had heard people speak of a love that made you feel as if you and your beloved were the only people who existed, but he thought it was just a bunch of codswallop. Yet, here he was, almost forty years old and this dark beauty worshiped and loved him beyond reason. It was true magic...

He started to think of a future for them. He thought if they could survive, they then could marry, have babies of their own, spend the rest of their lives making love and putting down roots for their brood. But then he thought...that life wasn't for them. They were misfits who would never fit in one land or country. It would just be the two of them. He wanted to ask her badly if she would be his wife, but life was so uncertain. What if one of them died? It was more of a possibility than either one wanted to admit, but nonetheless, it was true.

Nothing was spoken about where Alissa would be going after their part of the summer was over. He knew he had to report for a special meeting in the middle of July for a special meeting with the Dark Lord, and then at the end of August he was to return to Hogwarts to take over as Headmaster. How all this would be accomplished, he did not want to know. He assumed Alissa would be one of the Death Eaters to orchestrate the more important assassinations. It had been a relief to tell her about Albus. She had understood the complications behind the Vow and the guilt he had felt over carrying out the murder, even though it was what Albus had wanted. He had cried when she held him as he openly grieved the loss of his friend. He was scared to be so cut off from the Order, but Alissa had sworn she would always be there for him

***

The evening before he went to meet with the Dark Lord in the middle of July, he had made love to Alissa. They had made love countless times before, but this time had been so sweet and tender she had cried. That had shocked him. He had never seen Alissa cry. She had cried as if her heart was breaking, and she held onto him as if she would never see him again. She had declared her love over and over for him. Severus had been deeply touched by the depth and strength of her feeling for him that he allowed himself to be swept into it.

He was thrusting inside slowly, but forcefully. He watched her throw her head back and moan his name softly.

Alissa watched drowsily as he pumped into her wildly. She watched his face as he shut his eyes and clenched his jaw before he clamped his hands on her, crushing her to him as he growled out his release. As he released her, and shifted off her, he kissed her one more time and murmured, "I love you."

Alissa had looked over and had seen that he was asleep. She was so happy. He really loved her! She had never wanted their time together to end. She had wanted to just stay by his side forever. But, she knew she couldn't. Sleep finally took her over.

When Severus had awakened, she was still in a deep slumber, exhausted from their lovemaking. She looked sated and calm. He was so happy; he thought he would burst from the exhilaration of it. He had to steel himself and raise his Occlumency walls before he met up with Yaxley to go see the Dark Lord in the evening.

A/N: Thanks to my beta, MadBrilliant. Please review! Up next: Alissa is sent to track down the Muggle Studies teacher, Charity Burbage.