Ival Pythonica

A/N: I do not own Harry Potter, any of its characters, etc. They are all the property of J.K. Rowling. For no profit of any kind, I am simply borrowing her characters for a short while. Only the Original Character of Megan Malfoy is my own, though her last name is borrowed from J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Sorry to all my faithful readers and new fans that I have not updated for a couple of months! Life has become very busy for me BUT I have not abandoned this story and intend to update as often as the timing presents itself. To make up for my LONG absence, I will now present you with a very long chapter which should stave your hungers for a little while. Enjoy!


Snape continued to stare at Megan, a series of emotions ranging from anger to disbelief to sheer bewilderment playing across his face. He turned and looked at the other men to see their expressions were quite similar except for Dumbledore’s. Snape turned to Dumbledore and attempted to say something, but no sound came out of his open mouth. Dumbledore simply gave the man in front of him a grave and sad look. Snape began to shake and quickly sat down where Megan had just been moments before.

“How could this happen?” Sirius exclaimed.

“This may be a trick to upset the progress of curing the curse. Surely, Anna Kenning could not have gone this far! Surely, she is playing games with us, isn’t she Albus?” Lupin asked, horrified.

Everyone turned to Dumbledore with anguished faces and questioning eyes. He ignored them all and looked at Megan. The other two men followed Dumbledore’s line of sight. The three men stared at Megan who was still slumped on the floor, her hands on her stomach, and her eyes on the floor.

Megan could feel the weight of their eyes like an iron hands pushing down on her body. She stared at the stone floor, feeling the cold of the stone through her knees and shins. Her hair hung like a curtain in front of her face and she used it to shield herself from their eyes. More than anything she wished the floor would open up underneath her and swallow her whole. She could not face these staring eyes full of pity and anger. Without even looking she knew that Severus was not looking at her and she could sense his despair and complete shock. Those were the one set of eyes she had always wished to see, she wished his arms would hold her and comfort her, wished his voice soothe her, but now he was the one person in the room she did not want to face. He could not comfort her because he was too tormented and disgusted to even come near her. Their bond was so strong it seemed she could sense the waves of sadness and confusion coming off his skin.

“This cannot be.” Snape finally managed to whisper to the floor.

Snape’s voice cracking the silence forced all eyes to turn to him. Dumbledore sighed deeply and placed a hand on the younger wizard’s knee, patting gently.

“I am afraid it is.” Dumbledore whispered back.

“Are we one hundred percent positive it is Severus’ child?” Lupin asked.

“I am quite certain it is, considering all the other terms of the contract have come true exactly as Miss Kenning planned. I could, however, conduct a very simple test to make sure the child is of Severus’ blood. I would of course delegate these sorts of matters to Miss Pomfrey but seeing as she has her hands very full at the moment; it will have to be me. I will need Megan’s permission, naturally.” Dumbledore glanced over at Megan.

Megan looked up from her stomach and let her hands drop to her knees. Inside of Megan, there was a storm of emotions, hundreds of questions and thousands of fears. But deep down she knew Albus would help her, they would all help her. She just had to have the courage to stand before them and not fall to pieces. Calling upon all her inner strength, Megan stood slowly and took a deep breath. Nodding, she walked over to Dumbledore, looking him straight in the eyes.

“Yes, you have my permission to conduct any tests necessary to determine the truth, as long as it will not hurt my child. But I also need your help, Albus.”

“Anything within my power, dear child, I will do for you. Only ask and it shall be done.” He reached for her hand with both of his and held her cold, shaking fingers between them.

“I need a protection spell for when I am away from Severus until I can get my powers under control. I don’t wish to hurt anyone else.”

“Of course, Megan, I can do what you have asked. I have the necessary amulet for such a protection spell. All I need is Severus’ cooperation.” Dumbledore glanced at Snape.

“Anything I can do to help Megan, I will do.” Snape said, but he kept his eyes on the floor.

“Good. The sooner we answer this question and provide protection for Megan against others and against herself, the sooner we can proceed with curing the curse. I would like you, Megan to please lie down on the couch and relax for just a moment. Remus and Severus please follow me to Severus’ laboratory. Your laboratory should contain all the ingredients I need to mix the proper pregnancy detection potions. Sirius, please stay here and try to keep Megan calm?”

“There is no place I would rather be, Albus.” Sirius nodded and moved over to sit on the floor by the end of the couch where Megan’s head laid.

The two men stood and followed Dumbledore through the brick wall and out of Snape’s private quarters to his lab next door. Megan had watched as Snape stood and without looking at her, turned and left the room without a word or gesture. She had waited for him to look over his shoulder, say something, do something but there was nothing from him to even acknowledge her presence.
The moment the stone reformed and the sound of a door shutting reached Megan’s ears, she began to cry softly. Sirius reached over and stroked her hair while shushing her softly, attempting to calm Megan as much as he could. Without turning to look at him, Megan spoke.

“How can you even stand to touch me right now, knowing I carry the child of your worst enemy?”

“Megan, how could you say that? I will always love you no matter what is going on in your personal life, no matter the choices you make, no matter what happens to you. To me, you will always be my Megan.” Sirius’ voice was soft and kind.

“What am I going to do, Sirius? I cannot have this child right now in my life and I don’t believe in abortion even if I could have one. On top of it all, I now have to wonder if my growing love and attraction to Severus has all been this damned curse or has it been real love? How will I ever know? Does he really love me and I him, or is it all a farce that will disintegrate the minute I am cured?” Megan ranted like she was on the edge of hysterics as fresh tears threatened to surface.

Sirius reached over and turned Megan’s chin towards him. He looked solemnly at her.

“Now, you listen carefully to me because you may never hear me speak of Severus this way ever again. I have had my differences with Severus; there are no doubts on that score. I know he has done things for Voldemort and seen things that have nearly destroyed his soul. However, deep down I believe Severus to be a good man. He had no reason to work for the Light or the Order of the Phoenix after the Potter’s died. Sure, at first I believed his motives to be revenge on Voldemort and more than once considered the possibility he was gaining information for Voldemort, stringing us all along the whole time into believing he cared. In the end though, he battled on the side of the Light and went against all the Death Eaters who had once believed he was Voldemort’s most faithful servant. I know he stopped Voldemort from killing you that day by begging to have you for himself and dragging you down that alley away from the chaos. He attempted to shield you from seeing your mother’s body and was at your side the entire time you were in the Hospital Ward. He slept by your bed and wouldn’t leave for days at a time to even shower. Severus had his meals brought to him, although he never ate. We all became so concerned for Severus’ own health, especially Dumbledore. We asked him to retire for awhile to eat and get some rest. If you woke it was promised he would be alerted immediately but he refused. Severus was adamant he be there and be the first face you saw when you woke up. Ever since you did wake, he has been by your side. He has educated you and prepared you so far for an excellent career, protected you from your father’s wrath at times, and basically became your best friend in this world. I know, you would say you loved me most and that I was your best friend but in reality, it is Severus. You love him and have for a very long time. Why do you think I hated all the time you two spent together? Why do you think I worried for your safety and said he was a bad influence? I said and acted that way because I saw how you looked at each other when you two thought no one was looking or how you looked at each other when you believed the other one wasn’t watching. The love you two share was always between you, the curse just forced the truth to be said and the feelings to come to fruition. So, don’t ever think Severus is under a dark spell or that your love for each other is false. He looks at you like there is nothing more precious on this Earth and you look at him the same. I have confidence he will take good care of you and your child together. But if you ever repeat a word I just said to anyone, especially Severus, I will deny I ever said it.” Sirius smiled and winked.

Megan turned her body and laid her head on her arm. Her eyes were wide and her mouth hung open in utter shock. She blinked wildly at Sirius who just shrugged.

“What?” He said, suddenly defensive.

“Sirius, I have to admit I am really surprised you feel this way! I thought you hated him and would forever disown me for loving Severus, for being with him and now certainly for bearing his child. I am happy to know I will not be shunned by you but if what you say is true, then why when I was kneeling on the floor did Severus not help me up? Why didn’t he look at me? Why did he leave the room without a kiss or as much as a backward glance?” Megan asked woefully.

“To be honest, I don’t know but my best guess is that he is scared. Any man would be in his situation and Remus, though probably in the clear, is also a little shell shocked and probably afraid. Give Severus time, Megan. He will come around to the idea of being happy about this as much as anybody can but he needs time to digest becoming a father, especially in such an odd way.
Okay?” Sirius brushed a lingering tear off Megan’s cheek.

“Okay, I will try but I disagree with you, Sirius. I could feel his emotions as if he was speaking them. He has never been unable to look at me no matter how he felt. Severus is the master of hiding and masking his emotions, even you know how he can feel many things but keep a blank face and voice. There were even times I wonder what was really going on inside his head when his face, voice and body language told me nothing. Suddenly his controlled reserve has faltered or his emotional stronghold has become so weakened, he can no longer hide how he feels from people. Something tells me, call it instinct, gut reaction, or very good intuition, that this final clause of the curse has broken him. It hurts my heart to think I had anything to do with breaking his heart.”

“Your gut reaction may just be that: a reaction to seeing the man you love in such distress. Honestly, Megan, you can’t blame yourself for the damage done to Severus’ heart or the damage done to anyone concerned in this situation. The person to blame will get her punishment. Furthermore, if I have learned anything in this life the best revenge against Anna Kenning is to not let this curse destroy you. Hold your head up high and walk around from now on as if this curse has not had any effect on you at all. Be proud of the relationship which will come out of the curse and the beautiful child as well. Do not let her see you an emotional mess. Besides, you are a Malfoy and Narcissa’s daughter. There is strength within you which you inherited from Narcissa and now is the time to use it!” Sirius pursed his lips and gave Megan a knowing look.

“You’re right. If my mother were in my position she would not be acting like this. If she could do this, I can do this.” Megan said as she laid a hand on her stomach and looked down at it.

“I know you can and I know you will make an excellent mother.” He kissed her forehead and smiled down at her.

*********
Meanwhile in the lab at the same time . . . .

The three men walked into the lab and walked over to Snape’s laboratory bench. Dumbledore grabbed two vials out of his robes and a silver ring, setting them on the wooden bench. Then he proceeded to wave his hand at the ingredients closet, out of which flew a few jars of different colored liquids and spices. He proceeded to mix the ingredients in a very small caldron. As he worked Severus went and sat at his desk, placing his head in his hands and Lupin sat down on the edge of the desk, farthest from Snape. After a few moments, Dumbledore poured the honey-red colored liquid into the two vials and turned to both men.

“I will need you each to prick you finger and put two drops of blood in your separate vials. Severus, in additional I need your help with this ring which will require a few more drops of blood in the center of the ring where there is a depression in the red stone.”

Dumbledore handed both men their vials and the ring to Snape. Each man pricked his finger and deposited a couple of drop of blood inside the vial, then handed them back to Dumbledore. He corked them and shook the vials lightly. Lupin’s vial turned bright purple and Snape’s vial turned dark red in color. Nodding in satisfaction, Dumbledore deposited the vials back in his robes and turned to Snape, who was carefully putting a few more droplets of blood into the stone of the ring. Dumbledore gently waved his hand over the ring while Snape still held it between his fingers and utter a few whispered words. The stone sealed up to leave a perfectly round stone which glimmered brightly in the candlelight. Snape offered the ring back to Dumbledore but the latter man shook his head.

“Severus, you must keep the ring for now and place it upon the ring finger of her left hand yourself in order for the protect spell to work. I will explain the intricacies of the spell and the ring once you have given it to Megan. Otherwise, we are done here, gentlemen and should get back to Megan now.” Dumbledore and Lupin started for the door but Snape just starred at the ring and did not move.

“I cannot face her, Albus.” Snape uttered, slicing the silence.

“Why can’t you, Severus? You have done nothing wrong.” Lupin questioned.

Snape looked up at Lupin with dark, haunted eyes which threatened to spill tears down his cheeks.

“I have ruined her life. Is that not reason enough?” Snape’s voice quivered.

“Remus, would you give us a moment, please?” Dumbledore asked.

“Of course, I will be outside. Before I go, I have to say something I never thought I would. Severus, you are Megan’s only rock and shelter in a terrifying storm. I can help her as a friend, as Sirius and Albus can but only you can be what she needs. You are the man she loves and without your help, I fear we will all lose her forever. Do not give up on her, Severus.” For a moment Lupin locked eyes with the huddled man at his desk, Lupin’s serious gaze transmitting more than his words ever could. Severus nodded at Lupin.

“I have not given up, Remus and know I fear the loss of Megan more than you shall ever understand.”

“I actually understand more than you think, Severus.” With that Lupin turned, quickly leaving the room and shutting the door quietly behind him.

The silence dragged on for what seemed like forever as Dumbledore walked over and stood by Snape, placing a hand on the man’s shoulder gently. He waited patiently for Snape to speak. Finally, Snape looked up at the older wizard with terribly pained and haunted eyes. It was a look that made Dumbledore’s heart ache for the younger wizard.

“What have I done, Albus? What will become of her now?”

“You have done nothing, Severus. You were trying to help cure her and there was nothing any of us could do about the extra fine print which Miss Kennings hid so well.”

“But look at what she has done in the last twenty-four hours? She has cursed her best friend and attacked her father so viciously. I have not since such cruelty since the entertainments of Voldemort years ago. Her face as she tortured her father! It was awful!” Snape dropped his head into his hands.

“The hormones combined with her fragile body and emotions were simply the kindling to a small fire inside her, which in turn, became an inferno. None of us could have seen this coming. A child while complicating things is not going to end her life and she will return to normal once the curse is cured.” Dumbledore squeezed Snape’s shoulder reassuringly.

“Normal? How will her life ever be normal again, Albus! She is pregnant and has yet to finish her Seventh Year, let alone had a chance to live her life or have her career. This will end all her hopes and dreams, some of which I helped cultivate. I was teaching her to hone her skills and she had the abilities to become one of the finest Potions Mistresses this world has ever seen. Now, she will be changing diapers! They will ridicule her, tease her, and call her names. She will be known as the girl who was cursed to screw two men at once and then have the child of her Potions Master! Any reputation she had a chance of salvaging is gone! I have helped do this to her no matter what any curse says or court decrees!” Severus voice was louder with each sentence.

Dumbledore stepped back and folded his arms across his chest. He shook his head and glared at Severus.

“What has gotten into you, Severus Snape?” Dumbledore demanded. “Where is the man who could face Voldemort and be a member of the light without a trace of stress? You played both sides of a dangerous war and never once broke down or panicked. I have no idea what has happened to you but it is imperative that you pull yourself together for Megan! Remus is correct. She needs you more than all of us combined and if you fall apart or pull away from her emotionally, it will kill her. In more ways than one, she will die.”

Snape looked back up at Dumbledore and wiped his face with his sleeve. His eyes became angry.

“You think that I want to hurt her? You think I want to ‘fall apart’ as you are phrasing it and kill Megan for my selfish emotional quandaries? I do not! I love Megan more than I ever believed I would love or care for another human being.” Snape stood, his voice becoming bitter.

“Is that what truly bothers you, Severus? That you allowed yourself to love again? Love comes with pain sometimes, my friend. Over all, however, love is worth the few moments of pain for all the other wonderful moments of joy and affection.” He smiled softly. “She loves you no matter what a piece of paper trapped her into, I know she always has. Do you suspect she does not?” Dumbledore’s smile now faded.

“She does not really love me, Albus. It is the curse binding us together and creating this atmosphere of love Megan and I feel, is it not? This is just as I always feared: I would open my heart once again only to have it shattered to pieces. Merlin, I feel like a love struck school boy who just found his girlfriend was snogging another young wizard in the hallway! What has become of me?” Snape howled as he slammed his left fist down on the desk.

“Severus,” Dumbledore said, smiling. “you are a man deeply in love who fears the object of his affection does not love him in return. Your fears, my friend, are normal considering the circumstances but unfounded. There was love between the two of you long before this curse arrived and you are aware of this. The curse only forced the two of you to admit what was already in existence. Severus, you must trust your instincts concerning Megan and your feelings toward her.”

“I cannot do what you suggest, Albus. I am too conflicted to take care of Megan, let alone cure this curse. How can I make love to a woman whom I now suspect does not love me at all? How can I give my everything and my all, to a woman who may hate me in five days? I just cannot proceed further without confirmation of more than just instinct and words.”

“I see. So, you would rather she and your unborn child dies a terrible death?”

“NO!” Snape thundered, pacing the floor. “I would never wish any harm to come to Megan or my child! But I cannot live this way and continue to open my heart to her without knowing she truly loves me. It will hinder all abilities to cure her. To save her life, I must know if her life truly includes loving me. I have to know the truth and I am sure any other wizard would feel the same.” Snape strode over to the storage cabinet and walked inside.

“And how do you wish to acquire such answers, Severus?”

After a moment, Snape emerged with a long vial filled with dark blue liquid containing swirling silver light. He held it up to the light, examined it and placed the vial in his robes. He nodded to himself and turned to stride out of the room when Dumbledore grabbed his arm fiercely stopping Snape in his tracks. Snape turned and looked at the hand on his arm, and then he glanced at Dumbledore’s face in surprise.

“Severus, the course you are about to take is not wise.” Dumbledore voice warned with an edge of malice.

“I need to know as soon as possible or I cannot cure her. It is as simple as that. Now let go of my arm, Albus.” Snape’s voice held its own edge of warning.

“You know as well as I do that using Love Veritaserum is dangerous and can provide more information than the lover wishes to know. It is especially unwise in Megan’s condition to induce True Blue Love Veritaserum into her system as it could affect the child. I cannot permit you to do this.” Dumbledore tightened his grip on Snape’s arm.

“You cannot ‘permit me?’ I know the risks and I will tell Megan as well, besides the contract says the child cannot be removed nor harmed. In addition, my version of the potion is not harmful to the unborn. I could see it in her eyes when she looked at me before we left the room, Albus! She is as confused and desperate for answers as I am! I can feel her despair, her questions and her desire to know is just as strong as mine. We both wish to know if our love is as strong and our physical desire as real as it seems. I will get us the answers we both seek, even if it is by unseemly methods. Now, let go of me!”
Snape wrenched his arm out of Dumbledore’s grasp and strode out of the room.

Dumbledore sighed heavily and followed after him, only to find Snape striding into his personal quarters with Lupin trying to keep up. They eventually caught up to Snape and followed him back in the Common Room area of Snape’s personal quarters. They all stopped and looked at Megan who was staring at the ceiling, breathing deeply and obviously steeling herself for whatever was next. Sirius was still stroking Megan’s hair to keep her calm. He looked up when the men entered but Megan never looked away from the ceiling. Dumbledore walked over and knelt by Megan as Sirius moved to sit on the armrest above Megan’s head. Lupin sat on a chair nearby and Snape walked over to stand behind the couch, looking down at Megan.

“How are we feeling?” Dumbledore asked.

“I am okay so far. Let’s just get this over with and discover who’s about to be a daddy.” Megan said carefully breathing deeply.

“Alright, my child, take this first vial which is for Remus and drink it all down in one gulp. After a moment I will run my wand over your lower abdomen. The same will be done next will the vial applying to Severus. If the wand glows after one of the man’s dose’s and depending on how brightly tells me it is his child and how far along you are. Ready?” He handed her the purple vial first.

“Ready as I shall ever be.” Megan uncorked the vial and downed the liquid in one gulp.

Dumbledore waited a minute and ran his wand over Megan’s lower abdomen . . .

Nothing happened.

Lupin let out a loud sigh of relief. “The child is not mine.”

“No. It is not.”

Dumbledore handed Snape’s vial to Megan who took another deep breath and gulped it down. She lay back down with her eyes closed. After another tension filled moment, Dumbledore ran his wand back over Megan abdomen . . .

Suddenly, the wand burst into a bright golden light which pulsed twice, paused, pulsed twice and kept that rhythm as Dumbledore studied the light for a moment. He smiled at Megan who had opened her eyes, staring down at the pulsing light.

“I am happy to announce the child is Severus’ and she is approximately two days pregnant.”

Megan looked up at Snape was looking at the pulsing light as if it were the most magnificent thing he had ever seen. He turned his gaze to Megan who smiled at him and he returned the smile, his eyes shining. The golden light pulsed off his face as a small tear escaped down his cheek, making it sparkle as it slid down to his chin. His quickly blinked and looked away, wiping his eyes just as quickly. Megan’s smile faded as she watched him turn away.

“Well, now that this matter seemed settled, I believe we should discuss the protection charm I have created to help ease your violent mood swings. Severus, if you would please come here with the ring?”

Snape turned and walked in front of the couch. He sat down as Megan sat up to give him room.

“Megan, if you would please give Severus you left hand?”

Megan placed her left hand in Snape’s open right hand. With his left hand, Snape place the ring on Megan’s finger gently and then let her hand drop. He got up from the couch and walked back to the fire place, turning his back on everyone.

“Megan, this ring is very special. It contains a few drops of Severus’ blood in a very powerful stone. By wearing this ring, it will keep your emotions in check, whether you are with Severus are not. When you start to become angry or overly emotional to the point of danger, the ring will pulsate and send a magical signal to your mind. Suddenly, a very calm feeling will pass over you as if Severus were hold you or standing right next to you.” Dumbledore explained.

“I am embarrassed to ask but will it effect all my emotions all the time?”

“No, you will be able to feel all emotions but on a normal level which will not spiral out of control and endanger anyone around you or yourself. Why do you ask?”

“Well . . . I . . . I was afraid it would . . .” Megan blushed deeply.

“Ah. I see.” Dumbledore chuckled slightly with a grin. “No, my dear, it will not effect your pleasure during sex or change your desires in any way. There is no fear of the ring, how should I say . . . dampening the mood.”

“Oh. Good. Okay, then I am glad there is something to keep me on an even keel.” Megan smiled.

“You have us all to keep you on level; do not forget that, Megan.” Lupin said.”

“I may have some of you but I am not sure I have all of you.” Megan looked at Severus’ back as he winced at her words.

Dumbledore looked at Lupin and Sirius with knowing eyes, and then turned to Megan.

“I think this has been enough group excitement for tonight. Gentlemen, let us remove ourselves and allow Severus and Megan to talk about this.” Dumbledore stood, leaned down and patted Megan on the forehead.

“Goodnight, my dear cousin.” Sirius bent down and kissed Megan on the forehead.

“Goodnight, Megan. I wish you sweet dreams.” Lupin leaned down placed a chaste kiss on Megan’s lips.

All the men nodded towards Snape as they left or waved goodnight without a word. Sirius, however, stopped and turned to Snape, extending a hand.

“Congratulations, Severus, I want you to know I am happy for you as well as Megan and I hope you will allow me to be a part of the baby’s life. I know you will make a good father.”

“I . . . I . . .” Snape took Sirius’ hand and shook it, the shock displayed across his face. “Thank you and of course I will not deny you the pleasure of knowing my child, after all it will be your family as well.”

Sirius shook back and smiled. He winked at Megan who could not help but smile at the gesture. Then he took back his hand, nodded at Snape again and left the room. Dumbledore stopped ad turned in the open stone wall.

“Severus,” Dumbledore said in slightly warning tone. “do not forget my warnings to tread carefully and do not forget my advice.” He raised his eyebrows at Snape.

“I will not, Albus. Goodnight.” Snape said, without looking at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore nodded once more at Megan and turned to leave. The stone wall reformed where he had been standing moments ago. After a few moments, in the distance the door to the hallway shut, echoing in the descending silence.
Neither Megan nor Snape spoke until the tension in the room became so thick, Megan thought she would choke on it.

“Say something, Severus.” Megan finally whispered, looking at his back.

“What can possibly be said at this moment?”

“Anything! Everything! We just found out we are going to be parents. I believe that warrants something to be said!” Megan exclaimed.

“Do you love me?”

“What?” Megan stood and walked over to where Snape was standing, and touched his arm.

“Do you love me?” Snape asked again, his voice cracking slightly.

“What kind of question is that? You know I love you, Severus. I love you more than life itself!”

“No, I do not know that, not after the latest terms of the contract have dictated our love would be forever because of this curse. For all I can guess you may not love me in five days, especially not after our child is born and ruins your future. I will never know if any of this was real.”

Megan grabbed both sides of Snape’s face and forced him to look her in the face. His eyes were red, rimmed with tears and his face was wet. Megan gasped lightly and brushed a tear from his cheek with her thumb.

“Merlin in Heaven, I don’t think I have ever seen you cry. You really, truly and honestly believe I don’t love you, don’t you?” Megan’s whisper was horrified.

“I have cried seldom in my life but the thought of losing you breaks parts of my soul and heart and it is so painful it actually feels like physical pain.” Fresh tears fell from his eyes and he tried to turn away. “I do not wish you to see me so weak.”

Megan kept his face from turning and kissed his cheeks, almost lapping up his tears.

“Oh, my love, my darling, what can I do to ease your pain? I will do anything to prove it is me who truly loves you from the top of my head to soles of my feet, not some ridiculous curse!”

“Do you really mean anything?” Snape looked Megan right in the eyes when he asked.

“Yes! Of course I do! Just name it, Severus.”

Severus pulled the long vial from his robes and held it out in the palm of his hand. Megan stared at the vial as the firelight danced off the blue liquid, silver swirls occasionally catching the light. She gasped and stepped forward to touch the vial, but hesitated.

“Is that True Blue Love Veritaserum? Where did you get such a thing? It is illegal and nearly impossible to find all the required ingredients to brew it yourself. It is also one of the hardest and longest brewing processes there is in all of Potions brewing.” Megan marveled.

“It is and it is nice to see you remember my lectures so well.” Snape half smiled. “I spent the last six months procuring the ingredients and the last two months brewing the potion in secret. I assure you it is in perfect condition and perfectly safe.”

“Why on Earth would you need True Blue Love Veritaserum? It is only used by desperate people who wish to discover . . . .” Megan stopped and looked up sharply at Snape. “You were going to use this to discover if I loved you, weren’t you?”

Snape stepped back and pursed his lips. “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you just ask me? I would have told the truth!” Megan voice was insistent.

“I highly doubt you would reveal what was truly in your heart. After stumbling upon things in your mind the other night I know how private those feelings were and how carefully guarded. You knew the risks of admitting your feelings for me. It could affect our working together, our friendship, your position as my assistant and how I saw you as a person. It is a risk I feared you would not take without a small push.”

“Are you calling using one of the strongest and most illegal love potions, a small push? How in the name of Merlin were you planning to get me to drink it?” Megan asked, outraged.

“I wanted to know for sure if you had feelings for me and how deep they were. I was going to wait until after graduation and have you stop by my apartments to discuss a few matters. While you were here I was going to slip some in your drink and ask you if you loved me. But this curse came up and forced the truth out anyway, or what I thought was the truth.”

“Wait. You were going to drug me and question me against my will? I guess you thought I would lie? I cannot believe you would sink to such levels, Severus Snape!” Megan stormed at Snape.

“So, am I. But I needed to know the truth before I was engulfed by my emotions but it seems I have already reached that particular point as of tonight. I have never felt such strong emotions, ever in my life, not even . . . not even when I had to confront the loss of Lily to that idiot Potter.”

Megan stood in open mouthed shock, not knowing what to say or do next. Her silence stretched on for minutes as she tried to comprehend what Snape was saying.

“I believe it is my turn to ask, ‘say something’ please?” Snape dared a glance at Megan’s face.

“Severus, all these emotional revelations from such a reserved person as you is very unnerving.” Megan turned away from Snape and starred into the fire. “You truly love me so much and I am sure I love you just as much if not more but I have to admit, despite my anger at your original intentions, that I have the same worries. You believe I am lost to you and I fear just as strongly that I have lost you, Severus.”

“You have not lost me, Megan.” Severus sounded shocked.

“Maybe not but there is only one way to find out, isn’t there? I will take half the potion, if you take the other half. Then we will both have our fears alleviated. Will you do that for me?”

Megan turned and walked back over to Snape, putting out her hand for the vial. Snape nodded and handed Megan the potion. She turned and sat down in one of the chair by the fire. Taking a deep breath, she uncorked the vial, toasting
it at Snape.

“Here’s to the truth about love.” Megan then drank half the vial in two gulps and handed it back to Snape.

Snape took the vial from her and imitating her toast, drank down the rest of the potion. He set the empty vial on the coffee table and sat down in the chair opposite Megan. They were both quiet while the potion sank in, each watching the fire as their defenses relaxed. After about ten minutes of silence, Snape decided to start the round of questions.

“Truly, are you in love with me, Megan?”

“Yes, absolutely with every fiber of my being.” Her voice was soft and sweet.

“How long have you been in love with me?” Snape leaned his elbows on his knees to stare into her eyes as she answered.

“For a year now I have had feeling for you which have grown deeper with the time we have spent together.”

“Are you physically attracted to me and, if so, for how long?”

“For the last six months I have had an increasing desire for you. When you walked past me the slightest brush of skin against mine, a whiff of your cologne, a smirk in my direction, they would all make me shiver with delight. The few times we kissed, I thought I would melt into a puddle. And your voice when it’s that deep, purring bass it becomes when you’re angry, annoyed, warning someone or in desire makes me wet.” Megan shivered and closed her eyes as if recalling it and ran her hands up and down her inner thighs.
Severus licked his lips and tried to concentrate but Megan was distracting him. He watched her hands moving as if entranced.

“My turn.” Megan said, still lightly rubbing her thighs. “Do you love me, Severus?”

“Yes.” His voice cracked slightly and he cleared his throat.

“How long have you been in love with me?”

“For about a year and a half now, though I did not truly realize the depth of my feeling or how strong they had grown until the last six months like you.” Severus fought to watch her face instead of those hands still moving.

“Do you physically desire me? Do you dream and fantasize about me?”

“Oh, yes, I desire to touch you whether it is to hold your hand, run my hands over your skin, kiss you or make love to you. I think about you all the time and have dreamed many a fantasy at night and even in the day. I have sat in classroom just yards from you and wondered what your skin tasted like, what it would feel like under my hands, if you lips were as soft as they looked, if your perfume smelled sweeter against your skin than from afar, what your body would feel like under mine or on top of mine and every other sexual thought one could think of. Sometimes my mind became so overwhelmed with such thoughts, I could not stand from my desk for fear my erection would be seen by all. Then the minute the classroom was cleared out, I would sometimes have to lock the door and pleasure myself to alleviate the burning ache. But the ache never fully went away. Some nights I would lie in bed and picture all types of sexual fantasies or think about you to the degree I would have to pleasure myself yet again in the same day. However, nothing ever made that ache go away until I got to touch you, feel your skin against mine, kiss those soft lips, smell your luscious skin and here your sounds of raw desire and pleasure. That ache will never go away, no matter how often I have you. I will always want more.”

Megan was trembling in her chair, her breathing heavier, and her skin slightly pink. She gripped her thighs and blinked, trying to concentrate. Her upper lip began to sweat and her core was becoming wet from Snape’s vivid descriptions. Severus was breathing normally but his eyes were slightly dilated and his member was starting to rise, pushing gently against his trousers.

“Do you ever fantasize about me, Megan?” Snape purposely dropped his voice to the deep bass she had described earlier and he watched in delight as she shivered.

“Yes. I dream about you every night and have sat in the classroom, darting glances at you, thinking all the same things you were thinking about me. Some days after class I would go back to my private quarter, take off my soaked panties and pleasure myself, too. The worst was at night time, which was why I moved back for the last six months to my private room in the dungeons for most of the week. I would either lay back and think of every naughty scenario or wake up from a long, delicious wet dream and have to pleasure myself over and over to take away the raging desire.” Megan was breathing heavier and her hands were rubbing her thighs again.

“Would you do that for me now, Megan? Show me how you pleasure yourself.” Snape almost begged.

“Yes.” Megan’s voice was shaky, the one word practically a breath.

Megan stood and pulled off her jeans and her panties then her shirt and bra, tossing them to the side. She started to sit down on chair when Snape spoke, hoarsely.

“No. Lay down on the couch Megan, please? I want to sit on the end and watch.”

Megan smiled and walked over, lying down on the couch. She positioned herself so she was half sitting up with her back against the arm rest. She opened her legs wide and watched Severus kneel at her feet, his eyes wide and licking his lips.

“Gods, you are so wet.” Snape gasped as he looked down at her core, glistening in the firelight.

“You do that to me. Is there anything in particular you wish to see?” Megan panted, running a hand down her belly and toying with her outer lips.

“Pretend I am not even here. Do what you always have before in private.”

Megan smiled and dipped her hand into her inner lips, spreading her legs wider. She ran her index and middle finger over her nub in soft slow circles, then a little faster. She began to move her hips up and down off the couch and mewl out sounds of pleasure. Her juices flowed out faster as she circled that sensitive spot in all the right places.

Snape watched her manipulate herself with her legs so wide apart, he could see everything. He began to pant and rub the front of his trousers, his member straining and pulsing with desire. He shuddering as he watched Megan insert her two finger deep inside herself and then thrust her hips slowly up and down, her wet fingers sliding in and out of her so deep and quick. Megan groaned and threw back her head in ecstasy, pumping her hips faster. Her other hand came up to grab her left breast; She squeezed and rubbed one nipple then the other, panting. Her skin was flushed deep pink and beads of sweat were forming on it. Snape groaned loudly and pulled his trousers and boxers down to his knees, swiftly freeing his member.

Megan continued to pump her hips but opened her eyes to see Snape pumping his hard member through his fist in tight long strokes. He used his other hand to cup his balls and massage them. He moaned and grunted. Megan began to shake, the sight of Snape pleasuring himself as she did turning her on in a whole new way. She removed her hand from inside herself and began to rub her nub in fast, hard circles.

“Oh, Severus . . .” Megan moaned and shuddered.

“Yes, yes, yes . . . that’s it; watch me as I watch you.” Snape grunted.

Megan watched Snape brace himself by grabbing the back of couch and starting to pump his hips, pushing his member through his clenched fist. His hips sped up and Megan matched his rhythm. Snape’s eyes never left Megan’s face.

Megan’s eyes became wider and her mouth hung open with panting breaths and soft moans, which were keening higher and higher. Her skin was flushed deep scarlet and Megan felt like her body was on fire. Megan fingers slipped and slid across her nub furiously. Watching Snape was pushing her over the edge of orgasm, as the fire spreading across her skin seemed to explode in a rush of flame and heat. She screamed long and low, a guttural sound.

Snape pumped harder and leaned forward towards Megan. He gasped and groaned as he watched Megan’s head fly backwards, her body shook violently, and her fingers were pressing down flat on her nub as she pushed her hips up hard against the palm of her hand. Her outer lips were swollen, pink and dripping. Megan’s flushed skin was only a few shades lighter than her core. Snape was so close to the edge that watching Megan had him inches from orgasm.

But he stopped.

Suddenly, Snape grabbed Megan’s legs and pulled her body closer to him. She pulled her hands away from her core and looked up at Snape, a little surprised. She would have been more shocked but the waves of orgasm were still crashing through her body. With slight puzzlement, she tried to read his hungry gaze through her own hazy eyes.

“What . . . ?” Megan started to ask.

“I am acting on a second fantasy.”

Snape grabbed Megan’s hips which pulled her lower body up towards his groin. He drove into Megan, deep and hard, staying deep inside her for a moment to savor the sensation. Then he began to thrust in and out shallowly and slowly with a slight rotation of his hips every time. Snape took his time, savoring every thrust. He held back from his own pleasure and watched as a new look dawned over Megan’s face. Snape knew at this angle what would happen, but Megan was just starting to realize.

Megan felt the hard, slow strokes and that familiar heat started to pool in her lower abdomen but as it grew, the sensation was stronger than ever before. It seemed as if the familiar fire Snape always brought out in her was a scalding blaze, rising higher and higher. Her whole body began to tremble and sweat seemed to pour off her skin from the strength of the heat she felt. Megan tried to move her hips but Snape grabbed her hips, digging in his fingers tightly so she could not move. The fire was consuming her. Megan felt as if every breath she took was a deep gasp, desperately trying for air to cool down her burning body. Her eyes rolled and flickered back into her head. His member felt like it was touching places inside her she had never known or felt. Her nipples hardened to stiff peaks and her juices were flowing so freely, she could hear him enter and leave her each time. She looked up at their joined bodies and watched as his member slide in halfway and up, before pulling back out again. His member was slick with wetness, nearly purple from his holding back, and so hard it was like living stone. Megan thought she was going to pass out from sheer pleasure when suddenly the fire exploded into a ball of bright white light in front of her eyes.

“SEVERUS!” Megan screamed, long and loud as her back bowed up off the couch.

Sweat dripped off Snape’s body and he had a hard time holding onto Megan’s body due to her shaking so badly. He could feel the heat rising up off her skin to the point that her flesh under his hands was so hot he almost let go as if it burned. Giving two more thrusts, deeper and harder these times, he let go of his orgasm with a scream of his own while pumping deep inside her. It was a howl so deep it seemed to come from the souls of his feet. His orgasm felt like a tidal wave had slammed over his body and was dragging it down into the depth of the sea. Her inner walls clutched frantically at his member over and over until he screamed again, a second orgasm sending another load of his seed deep inside her. Megan let another scream go the same time as he did, signaling a third orgasm happening to her overwhelmed body. Struggling for breath he collapsed onto Megan, and he trembled against her still shaking frame. He felt his skin was liquid fire that rolled wave after wave over his muscles which had all relaxed into jelly.

They lay like that for awhile as the occasional tremor or shudder ran through each of them. After a few minutes Megan stirred slightly and Snape picked his head up from where it was laying on Megan’s chest. Her face and chest were scarlet but her breathing was just starting to even out. A lazy smile danced across her lips, lifting her eyelids slightly more to show shinning stormy blue eyes.

“What did you just do to me?” Megan asked in a thick voice.

Snape struggled but finally sat up and leaned back from Megan, resting his head on the back of the couch. He pulled Megan by the arms and into his lap. She nestled her head into the crook of his shoulder and sighed as Snape wrapped his arms around Megan. He kissed the top of her head.

“At the angle we were making love, I was able to find your G-spot, which when stroked can give maximum pleasure to the female body and produce one of the strongest orgasms a woman may have. However, I had no idea it could produce such spasm from your inner core that it would pull two very strong and overwhelming orgasms from me.” Snape sighed with deep contentment.

“Well, I didn’t know such a place could exist, at least not for real. I mean had heard of it but did not believe it really existed. The girls had talked of it occasionally and I have seen muggle magazines talk about such a spot. I guess you have to experience the feeling to believe it.” Megan smiled up at Snape.

“And now do you believe it?” Snape asked with a smug sound in his voice.

“I do not know, I guess I would have to try it again to be sure.” Megan smirked at Snape and wiggled her eyebrows.

“Oh. I see.” Snape laughed a long, low laugh. “Well my darling love, I guess we will have to try it again.” Snape tightened his grip around Megan and stood.

He carried her into the bedroom and laid her body down on the rose-petal covered sheets. He stayed standing over her for a moment, gazing down softly at her.

“What?” Megan asked, still in a happy, foggy haze.

“You are so beautiful.” Snape said softly.

“You aren’t so bad yourself, handsome.”

Snape crawled across the bed and lay down on top of Megan, leaning on his elbows. He kissed her lips softly.

“I love you.” Snape whispered.

“And I love you, too.” Megan whispered back.

They made love again with the same technique as they had on the couch. It produced the same result of multiple orgasms, howling, screaming, and this time a healthy set of nail marks down Snape’s back.

After it was finished, both of them had used the bathroom to clean up for bed. They laid together in silence listening to the fireplace crackle, their own breathing and heartbeats. Snape placed a soft kiss on Megan’s shoulder as he spooned up behind her.

“Megan, I forgot to mention something about the True Blue Love Veritaserum Potion. I was so caught up in the emotion of the moment I didn’t tell you there can be some side effects.”

Megan snuggled closer to him. “Like what?”

“Well, nausea, dizziness, headache and in some rare circumstances odd dreams can happen to anyone who takes the potion. However, you do not seem to be having any side effects. So, I would not worry.” Snape leaned up and over her shoulder to kiss her lips.

“Okay, thanks for warning me.” Megan kissed him back and then yawned.

Snape settled in behind her with his body firmly spooned around her frame and an arm around her stomach. He softly rubbed her lower abdomen.

“By the way, I am hoping for a little girl who looks just like you.” Snape muttered, half asleep.

Megan chuckled. “Oh, really? I don’t think so. I want a little boy who looks like you.”

“We will see but I think one of me is enough in this world.” He smiled against the back of her neck.

Snape was asleep in seconds, breathing softly and deeply. Megan for the first time in weeks felt a little sleepy and yawned again, closing her eyes.

Suddenly, Megan heard her name called and opened her eyes.

She was lying in a bed of flowers in the Malfoy Gardens. A little startled, Megan slowly stood and looked around her in a complete circle. It was daylight and the middle of summer. All the flowers and hedges were in full bloom. Just in front of her was a small opening in the hedge which she knew all too well. It was the gateway to a hiding spot she shared with her mother. No one else knew it existed. She walked forward and pushed herself through the small opening effortlessly. Inside was the large white bench under the arch. The arch was white but all one could see was the bright green ivy and deep red and yellow roses which grew as the ivy did, intertwined in the wood of the arch until nothing but flowers were visible.

Megan walked over to the bench and ran her hand along it. She reached up and sniffed a singular white rose peaking out from the other roses. The smell brought back such fond memories.

“Oh mother, how sorry I am! If only you knew!” Megan whispered in desperation as a tear ran down her cheek.

“Oh, my child, I know. I know I can no longer stand by and watch your grief.” The voice came from behind her.

Megan turned quickly on her heels and stared in awe at the sight before her. The figure was her mirror image only older, barefoot and wearing a lilac gown. The figure smiled at her and walked towards her, taking her into an embrace. Megan inhaled the lilac perfume deeply like a person coming up out of the water that needed oxygen more than anything. She began to cry and clutch at the figure tightly.

“Hush, hush now, Megan. It is going to be alright.”

The figure pulled Megan back from its body but held onto Megan’s arms. Megan simply smiled through her tears and sobbed out.

“Mother!”