The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 27
Letters

Claudia was even more disturbed by Severus’s latest letter. He wrote, not only sloppily, but with a harsh tone that could not be misunderstood. He wrote about the increasing threat level all around the wizarding world and “Are you wearing your amulet at all times?”. He told her of a student who was harmed greatly by a mere necklace. He had more nasty things to say about Harry. Calling him a “cheeky git.” among other things. Claudia wrote back to him asking him to come for Christmas. She thought he could do with a bit of relaxation and she cold do with some more answers.
Tonks stopped by again, still looking dreadful.
“Tonks, why don’t you just talk to Remus?” Claudia said.
“I can’t! He’s off undercover somewhere. No letters. Dumbledore’s orders.” She mopped.
“Well…if it makes you feel better, Severus is in a terrible state these days too. He’s so worked up over something. I think it has something to do with Dumbledore.” Claudia mused out loud.
“What do you mean?’
“Well, you and Molly told me about the jinx on the Defense Against The Dark Arts professors. I think Severus is a little miffed about that. Dumbledore gave him a position that was jinxed.” Claudia said.
“No. If anyone can shake off a jinx it’s your man. Speaking of Dumbledore, do you see him lately” Tonks asked.
“Nope. Why?”
“Nothing. He’s just gone a lot from Hogwarts. That’s why we are doing double duties around there. Every time he leaves, we have to go and patrol the school.” Claudia sat back and thoughtful.
“How are things between you two? Severus and you, I mean.” Tonks asked knowingly. What things? Claudia asked. She hadn’t seen him since the night Dumbledore came and whisked him way, not to mention, at a most inopportune time.
“He’s just…busy. I haven’t seen him. Why?” Tonks got up from the table and paced the kitchen.
“I just wondered if you guys have talked about things. I mean, Remus once told me he wanted to get married one day and have a family. He was so much more optimistic then. After Sirius died, he just feel apart. I don’t know…I guess I keep asking you because you the only other one gong through something like this.”
“Did you and Remus talk about getting married Tonks?” Claudia was floored. She would have expected Remus to, at least, have told her about that. Tonks shook her head.
“No. He just said it was something he wanted out of life.”
“Oh. Severus told me the other night…well he said if things were different, he would have already proposed to me.” Tonks turned and stared at Claudia. Her eyes were huge and her mouth was open.
“Seriously? What would you say?” Claudia shrugged her shoulders and concentrated on the floor. Would she marry Severus when this was all over?
“Don’t really know. Probably. I’m not too sure. I love him, no doubt about that. But since he said that, he hasn’t been back. It was almost like his goodbye or something. Sorry I didn’t ask you…but I meant to. Take care!” Claudia mocked. Tonks came and poured Claudia tea. They sat in silence for a long time.

*****

The next letter from Severus was short and abrupt. He wasn’t coming for Christmas, he was too busy. Claudia walked around the house for days mourning this latest letter. The guys, recently returned from a wonderful vacation, couldn’t understand what he was thinking either. Antonio tried helping Claudia by telling of his many female exploits in Italy.
None of this cheered her and she took to playing with Emma and avoiding all other people for awhile. Christmas came and went for Claudia. She put on a good show for everyone, but her closest friends knew she was grieving. She had overheard Nick berating Severus and wishing him horrible things for dumping Claudia in such a cowardly fashion. But what confused Claudia the most was that her amulet was still working. It glowed pink, usually at night. Other times during the day it would flash red. She was sure, even if the others were not, that Severus still loved her. She could only imagine what his amulet looked like lately. Blue. Blue. Blue.
It was well after Christmas that Claudia received a long awaited letter from Severus. She opened it up with trembling hands and read one sentence.


Claudia,

Meet me in the cottage at midnight.

Severus

Claudia didn’t know what to think, but it had been so long since she had seen him. So, at midnight Claudia found herself sitting in the chair by the fire in the cottage. She had actually gotten there a whole hour early just in case. She told the guys she was going for a walk and not to expect her back for awhile. They, thinking she was still grieving, nodded and left her to her own thoughts.
Claudia sat biting her nails and staring into the empty fireplace. It was so dark, and the only light that shone was the moonlight outside and the faint pink glow from her amulet. She jumped when she heard the door open and saw Severus silhouetted in the doorway. He just stood there, with his hand on the door knob, and didn’t say a word.
Claudia sat staring at him, her heart doing mad flips in her chest. Her breathing increased ten fold and she couldn’t stop the choking sobs that were boiling up in her throat. Her eyes misted over, and she was unable to see him anymore. She blinked hard and tears flowed down her cheeks. She saw Severus close the door and walk to the fireplace. He rested his hand on the mantel and the other on his hip. His eyes were unfocused on the fireplace and they sat in silence for a long time.
Claudia could think of nothing to say, and apparently, neither could he. What could they say to each other? What could he say to her? Sorry I couldn’t come to see you, I have been busy? He had already said that. Claudia’s sniffles broke the heavy silence in the room and Severus turned to see the woman he loved, and who loved him, drowning in fear and pain. He walked over to her and held out his hand. She looked at it for just a moment and then rested her hand in his. He pulled her to him and held her in a full body hug. Claudia felt like she could fly. Having him here, touching her, breathing his scent, made her feel alive again.
Slowly, Severus pulled himself away from her and sat on the couch. She followed him and they sat in the darkness together. Arms laced around the other, staring into the night. Both fearful to let go of the one they loved next to them. Claudia nestled into Severus’s neck and brushed her lips on his jaw. She felt him shudder with her touch and her body became electric. The power of Claudia and Severus had always been how much they needed each other. Every time they were alone, they fed off of one another’s need and desires. There was no reason for them to speak right now. Their bodies were doing it for them. Claudia knew Severus loved her and needed her. He in turn, knew Claudia was always there for him. Her not yelling at him the moment he walked in the door, as he feared would happen, was just another reason to know she loved him. They didn’t need magic to know that fact now. So much had happened, to test that absolute.
Severus kissed her forehead and she leaned into his kiss. She turned her face torward him and breathed in his scent. Wonderful spices...
It felt like a volcano ready to explode in them both as their lips met, first gently, then with a passion so great, it sucked the air from them both. Severus slid from the couch and rested his orehead agianst Claudia\'s. Their eyes met for a long moment and they said nothing as Claudia unclasped his robes and he unbuttoned her pants. Slowly he slid them from her legs and her panties soon followed. Severus didn\'t bother to disrobe himself. He simply unzipped his pants and released his swollen member and pressed it agianst her.
Their pain, love and passion were palpable as he slid himself inside of her. His head still rested agianst hers, he slid in and out of her slowly and deeply. Their eyes were locked on each other as Severus pushed himself as deep as he could into his love\'s womb. He pressed hard agianst her and felt the slick wet walls of her shudder around him. Still silent, excpet for panting and groans, Claudia urged him to speed his thrusts so that she could climax. She needed to release herself around him, to make him feel her cum. Severus placed his hands around her waist and plunged into her over and over agian, grunting with each thrust, sending her moisture to cover the inside of her legs and the front of his trousers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her as she felt her climax rise. Her breath came in gasps as he impaled her over and over agian. Her shudders began and he felt his body tighten. With her legs wrapped firmly around his waist, her arms around hi neck, she held onto him dearly as she screamed her climax. The only sound she made.
As they lay before the fire Severus conjured in the fireplace, Claudia traced the outline of Severus’s chest. Still speechless, the both of them, they lay and watched the night sky through the window. Tonight, thoughts of war, treachery, Dumbledore, Voldemort or Harry Potter could not plague them here inside their small cottage world. Whatever happens tomorrow will happen. But for now, he was hers and she his.