Nightfall

Disclaimer: The characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling and her assigns.

A/N: Thanks to Owlbait and Kyria of Delphi for the beta review!

Also, several lines in this chapter are direct quotes from Severus and Igor's conversation in the gardens during the Yule Ball in Goblet of Fire

Igor slipped out of her bed just before dawn. He chuckled to himself as he dressed that he would not watch her rise this morning. It was too important that he be on hand as his students arose and prepared for the day in a strange place. She seemed to hardly be breathing as he kissed her and patted her flat tummy. He had exhausted her with his love, but he didn't regret it. There would be time for rest another day when they could not be together.

He walked across the lawn and toward the ship. He let himself down to the belowdecks common room, where he sat and waited. He dozed a little as he thought about the child. Perhaps some day he could return to Hogwarts and bring his own son to compete in the tournament. Now that there was one, surely there could be others as well. Aurora was young, healthy, and strong.

He was in a happy mood as he felt it. A tingle in his arm. It wasn't the first time. It told him that the Dark Lord was not dead as he had thought... as he had hoped. What would happen if he came back? How would that affect Igor... and Aurora? Now there was a child to think of, and for the first time, his heart went cold at the thought of his own son or daughter.

He gathered his students and arrived at breakfast a little early, earlier than his wife. Snape's eyebrow and lip curled. "And where is the fair Aurora? She said she wouldn't be late today."

"I am sure she is preparing. I left her hours ago, asleep. It's just as well that she is late. Severus, I wish to ask a question of you."

The other man shrugged. Not sure whether to consider it as permission or a denial, the larger man pressed on. "My arm," he lowered his voice to a whisper, "the Dark Mark... it is itching and burning. Do you feel it, too?"

Snape's left hand disappeared under the table, but his face did not change. "I don't know what you mean."

"I'm sure you do, Severus. If he comes back, what will happen to us?"

"There's no us, Igor. You sold out our friends."

He snorted loudly. "You were protected by Dumbledore during the trials. What will happen to you?"

Severus sighed. "I'm sure what you want to know, Igor, is what will happen to you. After the way you behaved, it's a good question." He sat up straighter and changed the tone of his voice. "But it is not time for such discussion." He nodded toward the door, where Aurora stood. She was beaming with joy but otherwise looked pale and tired. "I must say I've seen her look much better than this, Igor."

"She shines in my eyes, Severus. Look at how happily she comes for me."

Snape's eyebrow raised. "I think I shall leave such visions to you. I have a class in just a few moments." He got up and left the Great Hall.

* * * * *

Aurora didn't realize the threat that was in her world until they were at the Yule Ball. She stood with the others, waiting to enter the Great Hall for the event. Younger students lined the stairways, watching the participants arrive with eagerness, pointing out this gown or those dress robes. Aurora herself was in a gown in hues of gold. It covered her pregnancy convincingly and Igor beamed every time he looked at her.

At length, the competitors arrived and it was time for the procession into the hall. Aurora walked in on Igor's arm, happy to be his "date" for the evening. He led her up to the table where Dumbledore already stood. Madame Maxime and her date, Hagrid, went to Dumbledore's other side and the three school Heads sat together.

That was the high point of the evening. Igor felt some need to frown at his champion. Aurora knew it was because the boy's date was Muggle-born, but she couldn't agree. Miss Granger was as lovely as she had ever been, perhaps prettier that most of the girls in the room. There was conversation full of one-upsmanship between the school Heads until the dancing started.

Aurora was happy that the sideways comments were finally ended. Dancing with Igor was heaven. She could spin and twirl with him all night. She loved the feel of his arms around her.

It was ruined when other teachers wanted to dance with them. One of the first who came was Professor Moody. Aurora was a little afraid of him, since he acted so suspicious of all Slytherins. She clung to Igor, hoping Moody would find another partner, but he suggested Igor dance with Septima Vector. Moody touched Igor on his left arm, just above his Dark Mark. Aurora could tell from the look on Igor's face that the mark started to burn when he did that.

"I'll do it," she said quietly. The last thing she wanted was for Igor to feel pain or to start a scene.

"That was smart of you," said Moody. They danced for a bit, Aurora being careful not to touch the wooden leg. "You shouldn't go about with Death Eaters, especially ones who betrayed their fellows to save their own skins. It's bad luck to be so close to people like that."

She got away from him as soon as she could. Igor came to her as soon as the song was over. "Are yu all right?" he asked.

"I think I'm over-tired, now. Do you mind if I go up to my room, Igor? You can join me as soon as the party is over."

He pressed her hands and told her that he hoped to follow soon.

* * * * *

Igor found Snape in the rose garden, kissing the witch Moody had told Igor to dance with. The two seemed quite attached. Indeed, if they didn't stop, it appeared that they would soon give any students who passed by an entirely different sort of education than the one contracted by the parents of Hogwarts.

"Severus! I beg to interrupt!" said Igor.

The two parted enough to look each other in the eye. "Later?" asked the witch. Snape must have signaled assent, because the witch smiled brightly and kissed his cheek before hurrying back to the building.

"What's the matter, Igor?" Snape snapped, clearly angry to have his assignation interrupted.

"The mark, Severus... It's been burning more than ever."

"If your Dark Mark is burning, it's nothing to me, I don't see what there is to fuss about, Igor."

"She's pregnant, Severus."

The other wizard stopped dead in his tracks. He blasted a hole through some rose bushes. Finding two Hogwarts students, he sent them on their way with detentions. He went a few steps down a path, blasted another hole, and repeated the process. It appeared that if Snape was not to be allowed to pursue his romance, no one else would, either.

Igor followed him, eager to get help. "You see how dire the situation is, Severus. I need to look after Aurora... and our child... Severus, you can't pretend this isn't happening!"

"Then flee. Flee, I will make your excuses. I, however, am remaining at Hogwarts."

Snape stalked off. Igor looked after him. He couldn't run, for to run would leave Aurora exposed to danger, yet he couldn't stay, either. He sighed. The Fates would have their way with him. It was Aurora and the child whom he needed to protect, now.

* * * * *

Aurora couldn't breathe when Igor described his conversation with Snape. "Why don't we both just leave and go home to Paris? No one knows about our apartment there."

"I can't take that chance. If they discover us together, they will kill us both, and the baby, too." She could see his eyes glisten at the thought.

"I don't want to be without you."

"Ve must not think of it." He turned away and blew his nose.

"Igor, I can't lose you. There has to be a way..." She reached over and put her hand on his arm.

He swung his arm to throw her off. "Voman! Enough!" He turned to look at her, and she could see a tear run down his face.

Aurora looked up at him. He'd never raised his voice to her before. She considered the situation. Fretting and getting emotional were not the way to solve this problem. Wasn't there some way to make it all work to their advantage? She went to him and started unfastening his robes. "We should take advantage of now, then," she said.

"Is all we have," he said gruffly.

"Yes," she said. "We can figure out the rest, I'm sure."

"I vill run, and yu will be safe," he was still speaking emotionally.

She didn't speak as she finished unfastening his robe and jacket. She pushed them over his shoulders and slid her hands under the waistband of his trousers. "Perhaps," she said, "or perhaps the Headmaster of Durmstrang will join his brilliant mind with my Slytherin one, and we'll figure this out."

"Voman," he whispered into her neck, his voice still thick, but now with passion. His hands slid below the hem of her dress.

"Is there something you want, Igor?"

"Is time for loff."

"It's past time for love." She lifted her face to receive his kiss and pulled him close. The bed was barely close enough as they quickly moved onto it.

* * * * *

Over the next months, Igor watched Snape carefully. Snape seemed to spend all his time talking to Dumbledore, who nodded thoughtfully and looked around whatever room they were in, his fingers stroking his beard thoughtfully. One day Igor had to know what they discussed.

"Have yu told Dumbledore about the child?"

"Of course not!" snapped Snape. Then he looked at Igor with narrowed eyes. "What child?"

"Severus, were yu listening when I told you Aurora is pregnant?"

Snape's face took on a look of understanding. "Oh, I recall," he answered. "No, of course not. Dumbledore would not receive that news in a good way. Best to let him discover it in his own way and as late in the day as possible."

"What do yu talk about, all the time?"

"I don't believe it's your business, Igor."

"I see yu both looking at me as you talk."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"What are we discussing, boys?" Professor Moody came toward them. "What could two ex-Death Eaters have to discuss? Hmm?"

"Vot else but Tournament?" asked Igor.

Snape said nothing but instead looked at the old Auror with narrow eyes. Igor glanced between the two and for the first time realized that his left arm was itching. What could that mean? Moody finally shrugged and left. He tossed his opinion of the tournament over his shoulder. "I like the chances of that Potter kid. I think he's going to win it. He's the savior of the Wizarding world, after all."

Igor blustered at the insult to his school's champion while Severus sneered.

* * * * *

Even knowing that the evil day would come did not prevent the heartbreak that came with it. Aurora had thought and processed as much information as she could. Her whole body ached as she climbed up into the Quidditch stands, and her soul ached as she watched Igor rub his arm. The dull ache, the occasional itch, the infrequent burn... they had all long since combined in such a way that it always hurt. He didn't tell her, but from the way he muttered, "Is like before," she suspected that he had known this feeling in his past. Tonight it ached constantly, and as soon as the two Hogwarts champions disappeared, Igor's felt intense pain in his arm.

When the two boys returned through the Port-key and rumors of Harry Potter's story circulated, Igor said, "I must go now."

"I love you," she whispered.

"Remember Paris," he answered. "Is the home of our loff."

As all the others milled around in rumor and confusion, she watched him walk toward the gate of grounds and disappear.

* * * * *

She made her way back to the castle and the infirmary just in time, according to Poppy. Even so, she spent many hours in agony, waiting for her body and the child to finally work together. Poppy handed her a small bundle. "She's a beautiful child, Aurora."

She looked at the beautiful face a bit ruefully. "Igor was so sure of a boy." Then she smiled in delight, as she found herself falling in love already.

She kissed the tiny head and looked to the future. Igor would succeed in hiding from the Death Eaters, she was sure. She would find ways to help defeat those Death Eaters. After it was all over, they would return to Paris, where it all happened. In the meanwhile, she would work, and watch, and wait...