The Kiss

My warmest gratitudes to Soprano-in-the-Shadow and MagicAlly for betaing and Britpicking who worked their own, fantastic magic on this chapter!

The Kiss

Wide awake in their marital bed, Ginny compiled a list of ingredients she would suggest for the Notts to stock up on. What a sorry sight that lab had been! The Burrow offered barely a third of the space, and their three thin-bottomed cauldrons were battered, courtesy of her dear brothers Fred and George, but the Weasleys regularly needed all of the essential healing potions, and so their ingredients were always fairly fresh.

Her thoughts stayed on the twins. Their fanciful business had just begun to flourish when the war thwarted it all. They had set up a new, grander lab at their premises, too. Bill and Fleur might also have their own lab by now. Ron had mentioned the Order's difficulties in purchasing ingredients, though.

When Severus moaned, she considered the exhausted form next to her. He had woken up three times in as many hours, greedily emptied the beaker of water on the bedside table and then searched for her with his arm. Finally, he had wriggled around her and so found the position that allowed him to relax. He was holding her so tightly that turning around was difficult.

However, he would not sleep much longer and would wake up very hungry.

Gently, Ginny disentangled herself from his grip, and when his hand searched for her yet again, she quickly pulled her unicorn plushy out of the rucksack and stuffed it into his arm.

When she failed to reach her teeth with her toothbrush, she removed the Japanese lip protection spell. Only a few weeks more and they'd be free from that curse!

Ginny cut ingredients for a salad and prepared the dressing separately to keep the lettuce crisp. Her soup would not need more than heating whenever he woke up. Substituting minced meat with the staple soy strips, she finally concocted a dish that could pass for lasagne, although it didn't have much taste before she cast a hearty amount of curry powder and soy sauce into the béchamel...not fancy, but filling.

:*:*:*:

An incoherent mumble from the bedroom announced Severus' impeding awakening, and then he growled, "What the heck?"

Finally, he made it to the door frame in his grey t-shirt and green boxers. Ginny could not suppress a wide smirk at the sight and greeted him, "Hi Severus, sleep well?"

He was looking at her out of his barely open eyes, his hair as wild as Hagrid's, and the violet unicorn with sparkling gold horn and hooves cradled in his arm.

"What is so amusing?" he asked, eyebrow rising.

"So you met Hyacinth," she said, indicating the fluffy unicorn. "I was wondering if I could have a picture made from this memory. If Fred and George sell it, we can live on the proceeds for years." She went over and stroked his cheek.

Severus' face fell. "Ginevr..." Severus stopped himself abruptly. "Do not... You shall never have to stoop to such means to earn a living! I swear I will do whatever it takes to prevent that," he said with determination.

Her heart constricted with every word. Such a desperate sounding train of thought had to be broken! "Oh, no, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, Severus. I forbid you to talk or even think this way. Come now, let's have a square meal. Maybe freshen up while I finish the soup?"

The normal medical remedies, and primarily the potion against the physical exhaustion after a Cruciatus curse, sat on the table together with the crockery when Severus sat down.

They ate in silence. Too much was whirling through Severus' mind. For Ginny's schooled senses his expression changed from pained, to happy, back to contemplative and over to sorrow in rapid succession. Although for most people they would be hidden forever behind the famous scowl of their Potion Master, by now, Ginny was able to read these feelings through the tiniest flicker in his eyes.

Yet, exhaustion dominated, and so she placed him on the sofa and pushed a cup of warm tea into his hands. "Drink!" was the rather harsh command he received, and he readily obliged her.

"Good. Now start somewhere with what you want to say, Severus. Anywhere will do."

"Ginev... why have you never told me you don't like your full name?"

"That has been bothering you, Severus?" she wondered, trying hard not to scoff. "Ron's a prat. Just forget it."

"He accused me of not being sensitive to you, not knowing my wife, the woman I ... love." The pain this thought had caused him showed in his eyes.

"Oh, Severus," she sighed. "It is true that I didn't like it when I was little, and consequently, my family and my friends say Ginny. But I've enjoyed hearing it from you ever since you used it." She paused briefly for effect. "I would have told you otherwise."

"Would you? When would that have been? Tell me now! What do you want me to call you?" He inhaled deeply. "Ginny? Gin?"

"No! It wouldn't be you, and I wouldn't be this me." She wondered how to explain, shrugged and tried. "I believe 'Ginny' is associated with my life as the youngest of the Weasley clan, the sweet little girl. I'm a different person now. I want you to use a name we are both comfortable with. And you do know me quite well." She snuggled in his lap and prompted him. "Next subject! Something more serious is bothering you!"

"More often than not I seriously doubt I know you, considering what I learned in the last three days. I'm still puzzled," he declared. "How are you feeling? How have you passed your time at... the place we dropped you."

"The Malfoys' summer residence, also used to detain people they cannot dump into an oubliette." Ginny raised her chin sideways in mock-aristocratic ways and sounded very French.

"I... wasn't pleased. Your missive could have been faked, or you could have been forced to write it. You didn't even use my name ... ah, but this is clarified, isn't it?"

Severus' pinky twitched nervously as he nodded in the affirmative.

Ginny swiftly summarized how she had tricked Pukey into revealing a bit of information and what thoughts she had gone through during the day.

"You doubted me." It wasn't an accusation.

"Well, yes. I had no clues to go by. You just confirmed how you didn't know me yesterday, and neither did I." Quietly, she added, "I have killed two men."

"No, Ginevra, no! We are in a war, and you caused their death. This is not cold-blooded murder, it's slaying, if even that," he corrected her. "I have no right...no right at all...to judge you. I have slain a woman this morning, and you know well enough that it cannot have been the first time. Draco has been spared so far, for all I know, but he prepares himself for the inevitable."

"I wasn't even fighting, Severus. I did not act in self-defence, I attacked them from full cover."

"Do not feel sorry for staying put! Potter will have to kill the Dark Lord. He will have to plan it and execute it, but no one in their right mind would accuse him of murder for it. No one would accuse you of murder either." Severus reached out and pulled her close until her tension faded and her breathing sounded relaxed.

:*:*:*:

For the first time after Ron Weasley left, they were both comfortable and had more than just a moment without something life-threatening. It was all Severus had waited for.

"Hogwarts, Ginevra!"

Even seeing Ginny recoil as he so suddenly became loud, he could not dampen his voice when he elaborated, "Ginevra, how did you get through the wards of my study?"

She jumped up and turned away from him, and he let her, but then held his wife's shoulders hard, harder than she could be comfortable with.

"Ginevra, how?"

"What? Why is this of any importance now? We should worry about Malfoy and the war." She huffed, and he glared at her. "I went in. I saw your memos and understood your motivation."

"Tell me how you entered. I have my reasons," he pressed on.

Ginny gathered her thoughts. Yes, she had withheld this fact from him...who would not have tried it when caught in the Death Eaters' lair? Now, where and how to begin?

Glancing at the ceiling, she said, "Alastor Moody worked with us on all kinds of wards, in case we needed it to retrieve... items. We used an illustrated book on Muggle security gadgets, locks, iron fences, complex mechanisms to compare them with. It certainly helped Hermione and Harry, and maybe us Weasleys, too."

Severus was listening in the highest concentration and didn't interrupt her.

"He warded rooms at Hogwarts and outdoor locations for our training. Remus set other wards; Tonks, Shacklebolt and the teachers then added their own creations. We covered timed wards, wards that make you sleepy or light-headed, circulating wards, and, of course, combinations." She stopped, unable to understand what he was looking for. Yet his gaze was unbroken.

Severus pressed on, his voice even more serious. "My wards. Ginevra! How did you open my private quarters at Hogwarts? Not to think of what you did in there, which leads us too far for today."

"I didn't do anything untoward, I promise! I did not touch the Pensieve!"

Agitated now, he repeated, "How did you tear down these wards, Ginevra, I need to know! Tell me exactly who went in, what you did, what everybody else did."

Obediently, she replied, although her voice showed how irritated she was. "Truly there isn't much to tell. After you had left, as soon as it had calmed down, the Order tried to enter your quarters. Right the next day, Ministry Aurors came over. I really don't know what they did, but none of them got in.

"Weeks later, after we had returned from Godric's Hollow, Dumbledore's portrait had awoken, and he insisted every single one should try again. So we all got a go. Fred and George had the corridor filled with bubbles, little green dragons and what have you. Harry and Ron brought all their efforts to bear, wildly swearing and sweating. Neville wasn't too enthusiastic. Hermione made a hell of a list, consulted dozens of books, but she failed, too. I don't quite understand it, it was so simple. I was last, obviously!"

Despite his agitation, Severus stroked her arm gently. She would never come last for him, or be set aside.

"At least by now I'm not permanently forbidden to try. One day, we were to meet in the Slytherin common room after lunch. Moody is a Slytherin, see. I passed by your door. I imagined being in your stead, and I sort of felt what to do. I don't know what happened, but there were just two ordinary wards and a little bit of waiting, and I was in."

"You sort of... felt what to do... and you were in."

"Severus Snape is impersonating a parrot?"

The joke bypassed her husband who was recollecting all he knew about the empathy charms he had applied on his quarters. "Yes, it was the only way," he finally stated and looked at her in wonder, adding, "but you, Ginevra..."

"I'm still missing the punch line, aren't I? What's so peculiar?"

"As you well imagine, I could not have anyone enter my sanctum out of curiosity. Thus, I keyed the wards to my own state of mind. More than enough people have told me, its twisted beyond anyone else's and so caustic and malicious that no one even wants to understand them."

Ginny flinched. Yes, she had thought the same for years.

"I see you agree," Severus growled without true anger. "Rest assured, it suited me just fine," he added with a smirk.

"Yet, you've broken through before we met here. You not only felt what to do, but you maintained a connection to me long enough to go through the other wards."

In a voice more solemn than she had ever heard, he formulated the unfathomable. "That happened over there: at my study at Hogwarts, which is familiar terrain for you. However, also here you linked to me unbelievably quickly, and you never failed, even when I failed you so abysmally. You do have the empathy I've never thought possible," he finished in wonder.

Ginny let the news sink in, uttering, "I had no idea!" She was pulled out of her trance when he continued, gently circling his fingers over her arm.

"To summarise: the main ward is based on empathy. You have shown empathy for me when you broke it. However," he continued, raising his voice, "your breaking through the rest of the wards proves that you're not absurdly overwhelmed with these emotions but remain composed enough to act upon a situation that you did not expect. These are the sort of tests conducted to... find a partner for a long term assignment."

Severus inhaled, and a sense of nervousness washed over Ginny.

He cupped her chin with both, slightly shivering hands, locked his eyes with hers and chanted gently, "Legilimens!" He presented her with pictures of himself in various ages, in joy and sorrow, in health and also injured.

For a reply Ginny made an increasingly older Ginevra stroke the image-Severus, embrace or kiss him, laugh with him, worry with him.

Severus broke the connection. "Are you sure, my love?"

"Absolutely sure."

"I don't deserve you."

"Complain somewhere else."

"Thank you for not objecting, but no, I never will complain."

Pushing her gently towards the bedroom door, he unfastened her robe. Her hands roamed under his shirt, unbuttoned his cuffs and collar but eventually simply pulled it over his head. They lost all clothes on their way towards the bed. Repeatedly, Severus searched for confirmation in her eyes.

Lying next to her, he stroked softly over her cheeks with his thumbs before he slowly and considerately lowered his lips on her rising ones for the most tender and loving kiss they had shared. It was a kiss that seemed to reach their very souls. How they had both missed this feeling of lips on lips, tongues gently caressing each other!

When they broke apart Severus asked, "Is there anything deeper, stronger yet than the fidelity fastbinding, my love?"

Panting, Ginny didn't come forth with an answer, nor would Severus have been in any state to listen, for they were already riding on a wonderfully intense wave of passion.

:*:*:*:

While Severus prepared a light meal, Ginny was supposed to read a book of his, Interpersonal Charms, on detecting and deploying binding charms. It had come from the forbidden bookshelf, and he advised Ginny not to stray but stick to the topic.

However, Ginny didn't feel like researching at all. She lurked around close to her husband and lover, just to strategically block his paths between the sink, the range and the fridge so she could snatch a kiss from him...only because now she could do so.

Severus made a good show of being exasperated, but in truth he enjoyed every single encounter and didn't mind adding trails of kisses along his witch's jawline.

Eventually, though, he pressed the book firmly into her hands. "Ginevra, please read the passages I marked. I want you to know what's behind my wards."

The young woman complied reluctantly and not without placing a fat smack on his nose...of all body parts!

Well groomed, empathy only fortifies itself. It creates a certain emotional link. The partners can feel each other's strongest agitation and are led to find each other.

"Severus?"

Instead of replying, he spun around to place a kiss on her this time, hitting her temples.

"Oi! The book doesn't mention spouses at all."

"The book is considerably younger than Hogwarts. Its authors..." Severus paused, raising a brow.

"...were pure-bloods. Right, I see. They would use the Sorting Hat and have no scruples at all in re-housing the weaker partner."

"Yes. The noble pure-blood lines focus in a confused manner on hereditary disposition for their offspring. A warm, ordered family life is for the lesser beings."

Their sandwich and salad was accompanied by a glass of wine for the occasion. Snatching Severus' left hand and bestowing it with a kiss, Ginny asked, "Did you feel the ring?"

He looked up and then at his ring. "The moment was not the most suitable to feel one's finger," he commented drily.

"I think it warmed and contracted. Anyway: I'm not at all sorry to announce that you cannot betray me anymore. Do not try it for the sake of the poor woman!"

She smirked, receiving a glare. "Vixen!"

Another "Severus?" stopped the addressee dead as he was about to cover her décolletage with kisses.

He glared up at her flushed face. "Not the best moment for an inquisition!"

"Please, Severus, I need to know this. At the mission, you said that you... uh, who?"

"Oh, our calamity? It was but an accident," he said. "A wall collapsed, and dear Bellatrix was not quick enough. I think she tripped over a larger piece of debris that happened to jump. Then, another big block happened to burst on her head."

"Bellatrix Lestrange is dead?" She stared at him in disbelief. "You've snatched away Neville's primary goal. Remus would have wanted her as well."

"Justified as their reasons are, I have my own."

Ginny sat up and looked expectantly into his eyes. With a sigh, Severus elaborated. "She taught me. Don't ask about her methods. Last year, she forced the Unbreakable Vow on me that made me kill Albus. And, of course, she doubted my right to have you as a wife," he added with tenderness. Harshly he continued, "Longbottom still has her husband and her brother-in-law to take revenge on, and Lupin should look out for Greyback."

"She could nearly kill with her eyes; her deranged glare froze me on the spot, and even Death Eaters were uncomfortable whenever she entered the room. It's hard to imagine that she was a human being."

"I have been through these situations too often already. It's never easy, but hardly ever was I less resentful than this time. However, Ginevra, do not ever forget that I have to appear desperate at the loss. You had better express similar feelings."

After a pause, Severus added, "We will have to face Lucius Malfoy from now on."

"Draco was horrified."

"He should be. Lucius expects absolute loyalty from him, as well as stellar performance in the Dark Arts. He does not tolerate a dunce or a weakling. I distinctly remember his favourite spells. We will take a few salves and restoratives potions with us tomorrow. "

"I'm glad the Notts invited them over. Doesn't this keep Malfoy from hurting Draco?"

"Yes, the Malfoys are used to treading carefully and not upsetting people randomly in a new situation. He cannot know Paul's current position. However, he might have been fed wrong information. The Dementors must have had some effect on his mind, too."

After a pause, Severus added, "The owl came far too late for the elves at the manor, and certainly also for Narcissa."

He turned to face her. "Ginevra, has Missile done anything to you?"

"Oh, he did nothing to me. He would not dare, the cowardly bastard! He always lurked around the changing room and... he was out of his senses from their smell. He sniffled around when the girls changed after training, not even waiting until they'd all left. The frightened girls were taking turns in watching out, and it took them even longer to get dressed. Millie and I stayed after whenever we could. That's why we were late a few times."

Severus, who hardly ever showed emotions, felt his neck swell in rage. "You should have told me, or anyone. Did he assault them?"

"We are not sure. Some of them became very shy in the bathroom. Sometimes they cried in their sleep or woke up with a shout."

"The nightmares..." Severus realised he had not paid Ginny's report enough attention. How often did he ignore her when it was important?

:*:*:*:

Paul Nott opened his front door to welcome his second set of guests. He raised an eyebrow, when only Draco and his father entered. "Narcissa is indisposed," Lucius explained smoothly, in lieu of a greeting.

"I'm sorry to hear that. You look... settled. Hm, Draco, why don't you go up to Theo for a while? We will call you down for tea."

Draco entered slowly and nodded so hesitantly, that Paul suggested, "you can take the Floo from the hall, why don't you? Surprise him, like in old times?" With a small smile, Draco obliged while Paul Nott's worried eyes followed him.

He turned to the elder Malfoy, working hard to keep a friendly face. "Let's go into the library for a drink between men, shall we?"

Entering, Lucius noticed he was not the only guest of the day. "Severus! What a surprise."

"A pleasant one, I hope."

Cradling their firewhiskys, they discussed what had happened while Lucius Malfoy had been in Azkaban. Paul and Severus had no problems arranging the truth favourably for Draco. The boy had been forced to start from zero, failed a few times; yes, but under the circumstances, he was lucky to have been given the opportunity to prove himself at all.

"He is not considered a misfit," Paul concluded.

"Am I to understand that Severus saved Draco and Narcissa's lives?"

Paul answered, "I would certainly say so. Our master was enraged after the disaster in the Ministry. He gave Draco a task far beyond his capabilities. Severus helped your son not to fail utterly. Then he trained him for weeks."

Suspicious, Lucius asked, "What made you do this? Don't pretend you had altruistic motives, you sly, half-blood snake!"

Severus leaned back and smirked. "Draco proved immensely useful. He's young and physically fit, which is an asset in an old, Muggle-built house. I also got rid of babysitting Pettigrew. Believe me, I valued the change very highly. Back at Hogwarts, though... Let's just say that Bella motivated me very highly indeed, dear Lucius."

"Bella insisted you stole Draco's glory." Building up volume, he continued. "Killing the old fool was his task, and you made him fail."

"Yes, well, Bella. She was not there on the tower, was she? Ask Fenrir or the others who were." Severus paused to get Lucius' attention. His deep voice got a dangerous edge as he continued, "I distinctly remember your own first... err... big task. Care to tell Paul how you faired? And who was he, compared to Albus Dumbledore?"

Lucius looked visibly glad when Severus left out the details.

"Had Severus not taken the initiative and later supported them, your son and wife would not be alive today," Paul confirmed. "We undoubtedly had received a specific directive for you the other day too."

Lucius glared. "Do you expect my gratitude?" The veins on his temples throbbed and belied his outer composure. "Subordination like a third year?

"Next you might want me reciprocating whatever it was that motivated you to protect Draco? Whatever it was Bella had come up with?"

"You know very well that I don't have a son in the service of our master. As for Bella, maybe you should consult Narcissa on what the two had initiated. Draco knows it as well."

Lucius stood and went to the fireplace, tossed in Floopowder and shouted, "Draco, a word with you alone."

:*:*:*:

When Brenda led Ginny into her son's room, the boy was stunned at her appearance. No hand-me-down clothes or jeans for once, and her hair was falling elegantly. As she stood on the threshold, her posture emphasised her position as his highly respected teacher's wife rather than a co-student.

"Theodore, please entertain Ginevra while I finish preparing tea."

Easily said! How was he to approach her? "Mrs Snape?"

"Theo, please, drop the formalities," she pleaded. "While we're up here, I want to be just a girl a year younger than you, all right? A girl that's taken, of course."

He nodded, swallowed and felt very little relief. What to talk about?

Ginny walked along the length of the shelf and regarded his possessions. His room was devoid of frills or girlish knick knacks, but she turned out be quite familiar with the boyish décor, smiling here, lingering there. When she reverently trailed the curves of a duckfooted figurine of Viktor Krum, he slapped himself mentally for his slow thinking. She would inevitably be reminded of at least one of her brothers.

"I've watched the finals, but we went home before..."

"We had planned to stay the night. Would you stash this away before Draco comes?"

Theo did, and they had a faltering discussion on Quidditch and the general arrangements at the Academy, while carefully treading around any political statement. The tenacious awkwardness that lay heavily on Theo whenever he was confronted with a girl, cleared by a degree.

When the Floo flared in the corridor, Ginny jerked heavily and froze, transfixed. Draco toppled out clumsily, and Theo helped him up and brushed the soot off thoroughly.

Draco gingerly lowered himself into the offered chair, looked around and finally saw Ginny. "Ginny! I had no idea you'd be here. Wow, you look... Ginny... Gin, what's the matter?" He moved as if to get up, but settled on extending a hand only.

Two tears had begun running down the girl's cheeks before she snapped out of her reverie and brushed them off resolutely. "Uh, not to worry. It's only... I haven't heard a Floo in action for months. Hi, Draco. We've just agreed to disagree on the British League. We can move to Quidditch equipment now, if you don't prefer wand techniques."

Draco proved to be a good catalyst for their chat and even banter, and so it took Ginny and Theo a while to realise that they still had a one-to-one discussion.

Remembering that Lucius might have mistreated his son, Ginny made the boy stand, and his first attempt was no match to the weight of his limbs. "Roll up your sleeves, Draco."

She spared him the embarrassment of a more thorough investigation and rummaged in her bag.

She applied a tangerine ointment against his father's favourite punishment, Nettleflames, on his forearms. Draco downed a tissue strengthener, then gargled a smoking blue potion to reduce the swellings in his throat and mouth.

He treated his calves and knees by himself before pocketing the ointments. "Give Severus my thanks, and Mum's too." Through the haze of blue surrounding his head, he added, "Niilo Kontakoski, the Finn playing for Tutshill, insists on a broomstick made from an entire birch stem. They must have small trees over there."

He fanned the blue cloud away and continued to work his jaw and legs in silence, bent and stretched his arms and legs. Gradually, the ointment did its job, fading at the same time.

The Floo flared again, and Malfoy senior was heard, requiring to speak with his son. Ginny moved into a corner of the room before the man's face appeared in the hearth.

:*:*:*:

Surreptitiously, Severus cast a mirror-spell on the mantle to observe Lucius as he learned about the Unbreakable Vow. As Draco elaborated the predicaments Severus had faced with this vow, Lucius eyes sparkled up in glee before sobering over a summary of his son's months at Spinner's End and the seating order at their Lord's banquettes.

Turning back to Severus, the blond presented himself as the grateful, and very humble husband and father. "I have been misinformed on the situation. You will forever have my gratitude for your altruistic actions, Severus, my old friend. I'm not yet certain of my standing, but don't hesitate to ask if you know of anything I can do for you." With a mock-serious tone that belied his words, he added, "Had the situation been reciprocal, I'd very certainly have done the same for you."

Severus was tempted to snort in disbelief, but Paul stepped between them and picked up the thread, asking innocently, "Do you mean to say that you would vow to protect a family of Severus'?"

The thought amused Lucius greatly, and he answered in a light voice, spreading his arms and chuckling amiably. "But of course, I would. With pleasure. Only... poor Severus here himself just reminded us of his solitude."

"In that case let's finish this before our wives and sons join us," Paul proposed, set the glasses together and hovered the small table under the window sill to create space.

"Wives? I did not bring Narcissa."

Although he would have liked to fully understand Paul Nott's motivation first, Severus cottoned on rapidly, spotting a chance that might never come again. "You did not bring your wife, Lucius, but I brought mine. Will you vow to protect her and the children she will give me, Lucius? The first one shall be born within a year's time."

"You are actually married?" Lucius asked in amazement. He froze briefly, then regrouped and exclaimed, "Now, wait, I'm not bonding for just any tart you have picked up!"

Immediately, both men faced each other, wands drawn. Paul jumped in between, placating them, "Calm down both of you! Now!"

"You tried to trick me," Lucius snarled. "Severus vowed to protect a pure-blood, a boy the Dark Lord had set great hopes in. In the wake, he protected my wife, a pure-blood woman of high standing in her own right."

"Severus has married with our master as best man. His wife is a pure-blood of a very old family, and our master has expressed great hopes in a large family of Snapes," Paul informed the blond calmly. "I see no difference. I will be honoured to be your Bonder."

"A pure-blood, you say? The Dark Lord himself approved? Well, then, congratulations are in order." Lucius conceded, but made no move to actually shake Severus' hand. Instead, his brows furrowed in concentration. "I'm most anxious to meet her."

"You will within minutes. Now both of you, on your knees, I like my tea hot." Nott commanded.

Lucius' face for once showed a conflict of emotions, indicating his rapid thinking. He could, of course, draw back.

Deep down, Slytherins don't give anything on gratitude; only self-preservation could motivate a Malfoy into any commitment. He would consider such a vow a first step towards re-entering the Inner Circle. Severus would not dissuade him from that.

"If I am to vow for his wife as well, I expect the Vow to end with a divorce."

Severus Occluded as much as he dared, painting indifference over his face. "I consider this adequate," he informed them, already lowering himself onto his knees. So sure that no one stays with me, and you've found an effective lever for damage control?

Unexpected as this development was, Lucius' Vow would be an immeasurable advantage. He composed an innocent face while working feverishly on a formulation that appeared innocent enough but had no loopholes. How do I make you, bastard, shut up about Ginevra meeting teenager-Tom?

Grudgingly, his opponent knelt down and took Severus' proffered right hand. Nott's wand tip pointed to their right hands, when Severus spoke, "Will you, Lucius Malfoy, watch over my wife and my underaged children, protect them from harm as they undergo their daily lives or the tasks the Dark Lord assigns to them, for as long as we remain married?"

"I will," said Lucius.

"Will you further actively strive for intelligence on, and thwart any plans to harm them as long as my wife is not divorced from me?"

"I will," said Lucius stony faced.

Severus took a deep breath. How to continue?

"And will you," Paul took over, "keep quiet and dissuade any speculation about the special links we three have with your protégés?"

Severus could not have formulated this better! The plural in 'links' included Lucius' abysmal action before Ginevra's first Hogwarts year, meaning that he could never divulge any suspicion that she might know the Dark Lord better than that monster was aware of.

Lucius looked up and frowned, visibly irritated. "I will," he said a third time.

Three tongues of flame now twisted with each other binding themselves around their hands to confirm the bond, the Unbreakable Vow.

As the snakelike red rope was about to fade, they heard Brenda's voice. "Theodore, please come down now, we'll have tea in the dining room."

They stood and brushed their clothes. Paul stowed the bottle away and cradled the tumblers in his left hand. "I'll bring them to the kitchen right away." He showed them through the door. "Please proceed to the dining room. Take your seats, maybe Lucius over here? Severus, do you like this place, and your charming wife next to you?"

:*:*:*:

When Draco re-entered, he went for the ointment again, and they had a look at their Potions assignments from the last week: acute and obtuse angles in stirring and cutting. Theo groaned at all the details to remember that didn't reveal any pattern to him.

The three leisurely discussed sundry items, relishing in the fact that they were out of adult control. Ginny especially enjoyed talking freely to someone her age, to people who would not treat her as a teacher's wife, calculating how to use every word she said against her. They had gone over several school subjects and discussed a few Quidditch tactics before they heard Theo's mother calling.

"You two remove any remnants of the paste on Draco. Double- and triple check him! I'll go and see how I can help Brenda," Ginny commanded and skipped down the stairs. She did not hear the boys discussing how odd it was to be friends with a Weasley, or a Snape.

:*:*:*:

Paul returned from the kitchens carrying a bowl of crackers. Noticing Lucius' disgust, Severus was looking forward to the following entrances. And there they came, Brenda steering the teapot and a cheesecake, followed by his own wife, moving with elegance despite carrying a tray of miniature-rolls with ham, bacon, fish and cheese and amiably speaking to the other woman.

It was clear from first sight that theirs was not a mistress-servant relationship.

"How dare you subject my family to this Mudblood lover!" Lucius exclaimed, almost kicking his chair as he backed away from any possible contact.

"May I introduce you, Lucius Malfoy, Ginevra Snape," Nott said nonchalantly.

"You must be joking. What would he do with a little girl? Or is she your temporary plaything made legal?"

Severus only sneered back at Lucius, holding Ginny's hand down to stall any counter from her.

The door opened once again, this time to allow both boys in, Theo carrying the coffee and Draco providing milk and sugar as if he'd done so all his life.

"My son is not a servant," Lucius exclaimed. "Even if you seem ready to let your... eh... wife be used for menial tasks."

"It is no matter to me, what you think, Lucius," Severus answered. "Hm, this looks delicious, Brenda!" Ginny looked up just in time to see how Brenda's wand hand twitched slightly in surprise. She smiled inwardly.

Paul kept the initial seating order, i.e. Draco and Theodore faced each other on one end of the table for eight, with Ginny next to Theo and Severus next to her. Next to Draco, there was Brenda and the vacant seat for Narcissa. Lucius would have been positioned next to his wife, and no one minded much that this isolated him now that she was absent.

Paul took the seat next to Severus, then reconsidered and positioned himself between Brenda and Lucius Malfoy, thus avoiding Lucius moving in. Brenda's hand brushed his thigh in gratitude.

Conversation was stilted and circled about the fates of common acquaintances, thoroughly boring Ginny. She observed the Notts and was sure Brenda feigned her disinterest in the war as much as she pretended to enthuse over the social events of marriages and childbirth.

Eventually, Lucius Malfoy repeated his question. "You didn't answer me, Severus. Is she your temporary plaything, granted by the Dark Lord for your services?"

"I do not care what you think, but you will not voice it. Ginevra is my legal wife. You can check the papers in the Ministry."

"Well, well," Lucius prattled on, searching Paul's eyes. "So we have a little Prew..." He couldn't finish the word. His hand went to his throat, his eyes bulged and his torso glowed up in a pink hue.

In no time, Paul Nott brandished his wand, shouting, "Interrumpe!" Lucius slumped heavily in his chair as his features normalised.

Paul said, "I recommend you learn to remember your vow."

"Vow?" Draco echoed.

"Your father graciously agreed to protect Ginevra and our children in a similar way as I vowed to protect you, Mr Malfoy," Severus explained nonchalantly.

He continued, slowly turning to Ginny, stepping on her foot at the same time. "In contrast to my Vow, however, Lucius has requested a limitation to the time we are not divorced."

As if on command, she pouted. Does she know how alluring she looks when she does that? "But Severus," she said in an irritated tone, "surely you won't... I mean... I love you. You know that?"

"Of course, my dear," Severus answered softly, lightly stroking her cheek, thus treating her like the little dimwit she pretended to be. "Do not concern yourself." He had to hold his breath when the heel of her shoe descended most painfully on his instep. Looking over to Draco again, he gave his wife a little peck on the forehead.

Draco blanched, his fork clattered on his plate. "You..."

Quickly, Ginny took hold of the pot closest to her. "Tea, Draco? Or wait, this is the coffee. Want some?"

"N... N... No, thank you, I'll have tea, please," he managed to answer.

Draco had a hard time fighting back emotions and pretended he had swallowed the wrong way. Coughing, he excused himself and left the room. Ginny nudged Severus and, when Brenda was about to top up everyone's coffee, he followed the boy with the argument he needed a glass of water and no, thank you, he would find the kitchen.

Severus found Draco leaning against the wall in the end of the corridor. He approached the boy not so silently as to startle him. "Draco?"

When he got no reaction, he touched the boy's shoulder. Draco jerked around and embraced his mentor fiercely, very much to Severus' bewilderment. "I'm so happy for you two, Severus."

"Well, thank you, I guess," Severus replied awkwardly, not knowing where to put his hands.

"It was just a bit much to learn it this way. I'll be all right now that I have told you."

When Severus turned to go to the kitchen, Draco called after him "Uh, Severus?" The man halted. "Did Ginny ever talk about a certain offer I once made to her? No? If she does, please believe me I didn't want to eh... She's very dear to me, but only as a sister. The sister I have missed for so long." He made good use of Severus' handkerchief and was now ready to return. With a smirk he added, "You were very convincing with your 'little tart' there! Hey, no offence."

"None taken."

Severus returned shortly after the boy with a glass of water in his hand and behaved as if nothing was amiss. Yet he could not overlook the questioning look Paul Nott threw at them, taxing them, not knowing what to make of them.

:*:*:*:

School was never a good topic to discuss when teachers, parents and pupils sat at the same table. Yet, Severus wanted to raise it this time. "Have you finished your homework for the period, you three?" he asked innocently enough. Ginny responded with a disapproving glare while Theodore helped himself to an extra-large bite of blueberry pie that would prevent him from an immediate answer.

"Homework?" Lucius looked up sharply, his ham sandwich abandoned half-way to his mouth. "As in school assignments?"

Brenda was quickest to grasp the opportunity. "Oh, yes. Are you finished, Theo?"

"We've been doing some last adjustments on our Potions essay today. We should be fine," Ginny offered. "I mean, details that were good to add, and Theo searched through the material and... yeah well, we sort of formulated them together," she amended, remembering how her dear husband reacted on reading near-identical copies. At least Theo's would be correct this time.

As Severus had assumed, neither Draco nor Narcissa had been given the time to relate to Lucius that there was a new school and N.E.W.T.s awaiting Draco. "What is the point of this? Draco and his age group don't need coddling in a school! They ought to be out, fighting for our master and proving themselves."

"They still have ample opportunities for this, Lucius," Paul remarked. "Draco certainly got his share."

Ginny reminded herself to put on an innocent face. She was not supposed to know even half of what she did know.

"What can they still benefit from classroom training? Is Lockhart teaching Defence again?" Lucius sneered.

Not rising to the provocation, Severus went through the subjects Salazar's Academy offered. "Years one to five have a school education close to Hogwarts. Furthermore, they rehearse self-defence, gauging danger and proper hiding. They learn basic healing and a bit of paramilitary support, transporting goods and the like. The footmen of our master's army leave school for just what you suggest, physical combat training. They are further rapidly paired to provide our master with a new generation of Death Eaters." He paused to let this sink in. Draco made a face at the idea, and Theodore shook so violently that he dropped his sandwich.

Severus continued. "It is the officer ranks, the strategists and future commanders that are granted further education leading to the N.E.W.T.s. I dare say the requirements are considerably higher than at Hogwarts." Any other teacher might have added just how ambitious the students in sixth form were, but from Severus' mouth this would have sounded surreal, and he knew it.

Lucius was not convinced. The assembled couldn't even inform the released prisoner of the whereabouts of the school, fuelling his anger even more. Then Ginny remembered that it was Narcissa's turn to provide the food for the following morning and evening.

"You see, they arrange for the well-to-do families to organise our meals," Severus told the blanching man. "We have taken quite a liking in the capabilities of the Malfoy kitchen staff, and Narcissa so enjoys the praise. It makes her day, and she would never miss coming personally."

To nobody's surprise Lucius excused himself and Draco soon after this revelation.

Go do some damage control, Ginny thought, gritting her teeth. The meeting had turned out well, but she was relieved to have him out of sight.

:*:*:*:

"Brenda, would you excuse us from housework just the once?" Severus asked, pointing to Paul.

"Since when do you volunteer, anyway?"

"Oh, I taught him manners, then?" Ginny quipped, a stack of plates in her hand. The glare she received from her husband was more than worth the bait.

In the kitchen both women sniggered. The Notts had no elf, and Brenda engaged Ginny in work and a chat, providing her with useful spells. They hardly noticed when Theo removed himself from the women's talk. To Ginny, the clean, well-organised three-persons household could hardly compare to The Burrow, but it felt good to talk to an elder woman for a change.

Brenda loved her kitchen garden, an undertaking Molly had given up long before Ginny was born.

With their goodbyes, Brenda agreed to help Ginny lay out an orchard after the next period while Severus assured them which herbs are cared for. "Some are suitable for the kitchen as well. You are free to expand the patch."

A/N:

In the book, Narcissa formulates the U.V., but in the film it's Bella, the Bonder. I take the liberty to allow a combination.

I'd like to ask you how much you want to know about Ron. (How well) Does he get back to Hogwarts? What does he tell? How is it received?

I wish you all a relaxing and merry holiday season.

Finland is covered with more than a metre of snow!