Bound in Leather

lookie here! another chapter for your enjoyment. and i do hope you enjoy this. took me long enough to get it written. i worked and slaved over a cruel keyboard just so that you could have something to read. i feel so unappreciated and unloved! ....*sniffles* anyhow, i just want to remind you all that only a few things found within this chapter are mine. mostly Al and her mother. Severus, Remus and everything else you recognize come from the talented vision of one j.k. rowling. i am making no money off this at all. i'm merely writing for the joys of writing and i promise that i will, at some point, return everyone where they belong. eventually ..... maybe.

i will enact my standard smut warning. there be smut in this one. hopefully, its worth the wait. so have your fans, toys, ice, batteries, boyfriends, cigarettes and whatever else you'll need when its done waiting at the ready. and don't say i didn't warn you!

as always, if you find you like this, please feel free to leave me a review at the end and tell me so. it isn't mandatory or anything, but it would be nice all the same.

Chapter Thirty: Just Filled With Surprises
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Al stared at herself in the mirror, taking in her appearance with a critical eye. It was two days before the students were scheduled to return to the castle, three before classes started and a mere five days since Severus had returned. It hadn't been very long after he'd proposed to her, in what she thought was a very Severus type manner, that there had been a summons from the Headmaster requesting that the both of them meet him in his office. The knowing smirk on his face when they'd arrived had told her that the old goat had gone missing for a reason. She'd wondered if it wasn't still too late to turn her notice.

After a short meeting with the man, Severus had announced that he planned on marrying Al and he wanted to have the ceremony before the start of term. Dumbledore had, of course, smiled and nodded his head, then suggested that they marry on school grounds. He'd been more than certain that he could have something arranged within a few days. Al still had her suspicions that he'd been preparing for a wedding long before Severus had announced it. After their short meeting with the Headmaster, Severus had dragged her back to the dungeons where they'd spent the rest of the day, as well as those following, exploring the strength each and every piece of furniture in his chambers.

Their favorite spot had ended up being the tub in Severus' bathroom. It was a large tub, with room enough for the two of them and some to spare. Every night had ended with the two of them submerged up to their shoulders, scented bubbles providing them with cover until their passions had gotten the better of them. Then, water and bubbles had been sloshed over the sides and onto the floor without thought or care.

Al had spent much of last night there and, after being woken by a smiling House Elf, a good portion of this morning. Severus had been gone when she'd woken and she'd felt a slight sense of disappointment. It hadn't lasted long as the Elf had hustled her into the bathroom and into that giant tub. The water had been scented with oil, something that smelled of tea roses and lavender, and she'd relished the soak she'd been allowed. Now, some hour or so later, she stood before the mirror and stared at her reflection.

'You look simply beautiful.'

Al turned to look behind her and smiled. Remus stood in the doorway, dressed in a set of fine dress robes that she thought might be new. She hurried across the floor and allowed him to hug her close. As they broke apart, he dropped a kiss on her forehead, then set her back to give her a good once over. After a moment or two, he nodded his head once. 'Yes. Simply beautiful. You'll knock the old man's socks off, you know.'

'Remus, I'm so happy to see you,' she told him, her voice holding genuine warmth.

'As I am you. Its about bloody time the idiot got his head out of his arse. I left your mother with him, giving him a good going over about how he should treat you. I do believe he's taking it in good stride,' Remus grinned at her, a hint of the mischievous side of him she recalled from so long ago evident in his voice.

'No doubt he's refrained from hexing her,' Al agreed. 'At least, he better refrain from hexing my mother. Or he'll find out just what kind of a temper I have.'

Remus chuckled. 'If he plans on enjoying any kind of carnal activities tonight, he'll no doubt do an admirable job of refraining himself. He's an idiot. He isn't stupid.'

The two of them fell into a comfortable silence, Al once more turning to the mirror to give herself a quick once over. The gown that both caressed her skin and floated around her was in a shade of soft lavender. The material was silk, edged at the hem, cuffs and neckline with perfectly matched dark purple amethysts that formed scrolling, non-descript patterns as they chased one another around the dress.

The bodice of her gown was form fitting, like a second skin that had been poured over her. The neckline dipped in the front to show a hint of cleavage while the back dropped low enough to expose the long line of her back to nearly her waist. The skirt was long and full. It blossomed away from her legs like a bell, swaying gently back and forth with each move she made. The robes that went with the gown were of velvet, the color the same exact shade as the small stones that decorated the dress. The edges were piped in silver and lavender satin. The slippers waiting for her to slide her feet into were of the same velvet as the robes, each one accented with a dainty, singular silver bow.

Her hair had been done up in a combination of tight and loose curls that were piled on top of her head into a kind of scrolling coronet. Golden highlights shone against the darker honey brown as several curls tumbled around her face, neck and ears. The coronet was laced with flowers, making Al think there was a field of wildflowers on top of her head. Madam Sprout had come and helped set them. She shifted her head from one side to the other, marveling at how the blossoms seemed to move and fall like her hair did. It was as if they were growing out of her locks.

Petite spray roses in a shade of lavender that almost perfectly matched her dress had been worked into the coils that circled her head. Some had already opened and some were still in bud form. The fragrant smell of dendrobium orchids tickled her nose, small white blossoms standing out in stark relief against the darkness of her tresses. Delicate bells of pink lily of the valley mingled with the other two flowers. Al could swear they actually tinkled with high, faerie bell sounds when she moved her head.

There was a knock at the door. Al turned while Remus went over to answer it. Professor Dumbledore stood there, a bright smile on his face and his eyes twinkling as if there were no tomorrow. He wore a set of dark plum robes, edged with gold trim and accented with tiny bells that jingled with each step. His beard hung long before him, more of the same bells tied into it. His hat sat askew on the top of his head. He looked at Remus. 'Good to see you again, Remus. How does married life suit you?' he asked merrily.

'It suits me perfectly well. Aletha is a wonderful woman and I don't know how I got so lucky as to win her heart,' he replied.

'Glad to hear it,' Albus said. He reached out and took Remus' hand, shaking it firmly before turning to Al. The smile he gave her was gentle and sincere. He stepped forward and took her hand, then bent low over it and turned it over, dropping a kiss on her palm. Then he straighted and held her at arm's length so he could study her. 'You look stunning, my dear. You'll knock Severus' socks off.'

'Yes, Remus mentioned that,' she grinned, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. Then her smile faltered and she glanced at the door. 'Is it time already?'

'It is,' he nodded. He smiled, patted her hand and then moved to her side. With a twinkle in his eye, He took her arm and laid it on top of his own, her fingers caught in his grasp. 'Run along to your wife, Remus. I'm going to do the honors of giving this fine young woman away.'

'Of course, sir,' Remus nodded, then leaned down to kiss Al's cheek. She smiled up at him, glad that he was there. If it hadn't been for him, she doubted she'd be getting married right now. He'd gone above and beyond the call of duty that went along with the description of being a friend. 'Before I go, I have something for you.'

Al watched as Remus moved to a table. He reached out and picked up a medium sized, plain white box that she knew hadn't been there earlier, then turned and came back to her side. With a smile and a flourish, he set the box in her hands. When she only stared at him, he made a motion to the box with one hand. Giving him a look that told him the box had been unnecessary, she drew away from Albus and lifted the lid to stare inside of the container. 'Remus, its beautiful,' she sighed as she lifted the contents out.

In her hand was a bouquet of fresh, fragrant flowers. Delicate white and lavender roses were mingled with smaller flowers in a circular explosion, a fall of them hanging off the front of the hand-held bouquet. Just staring at it, she could see lilies in purple and pink, more of the dendrobium orchids and the bell shape of lily of the valley. There was greenery in the form of leather leaf and tree fern. Colorful enhancements of misty blue, soft pink and pale yellow filled in the gaps between the larger, main flowers. Ivy trailed down in the front, a backdrop to the tumble of roses, lilies and orchids that hung like a waterfall of flora over her hand. 'Remus! Its beautiful!' she exclaimed, then hugged him once more.

'Congratulations, sweetheart. He doesn't deserve you.' her step father set her back with a watery smile. He leaned in and kissed her forehead once more, gently pressing his lips to her skin.

'Thank you, Remus. Be good to my mother or I'll have you neutered,' she replied. The comment brought loud, robust laughter from him. The sound echoed in the room, then up the hall when he opened the door and stepped out into it. She looked to Albus, who was grinning at her. 'Shall we?'

'But of course. The sooner you marry that man, the sooner Minerva will stop her sobbing. I find I rather like her better when she's a strict, stern harridan,' Albus winked at her, once more linking his arm with hers.

'I'll be sure to let her know you said that,' Al grinned back.

~*~*~*~*~

There were simply no words to describe what it was she was looking at. Her brain had turned to mush the moment Professor Dumbledore had ushered her through the large double doors that marked the entrance to the Great Hall. When they'd come up out of the dungeons, she'd heard the thunder that cracked in the sky above the castle, hard enough to send a faint tremor through the stone before her feet. She knew that, had the ceremony been planned for outside, the weather had put an end to it. Which was why she found herself standing in the opened doorway of the Great Hall.

The tables were gone. As were the walls. And the floor. In fact, the entire room was gone. In its place stood a sunny meadow. Green, mossy grass lay beneath their feet. It was on the tall side, long enough that it reached to mid-calf on her. Spots of color dotted the green, marking the growth of wildflowers. There were bright golden yellows and vivid oranges. Deep crimsons and soft pinks. Violet blues and royal purples. Small yellow butterflies fluttered from one blossom to the next, as well as honey bees and even a few hummingbirds. A path laid in stone started at their feet and meandered its way through the grass.

Where she knew the windows should have been stood tall trees. Oak, rowan, birch and yew trees skirted the edges of the meadow. There was darkness within their depths that hinted at a broad expanse of forest beyond their borders. She could hear bird song coming from the trees as well as the chittering of squirrels. A trio of rabbits hopped out of the grass one after the other, stopping long enough to lift up on their back legs and study Al and Albus where they stood. Their noses twitched then, one at a time, they hopped off the path and into the tall grass on the other side.

The entire scene before her was brightly illuminated. The sun blazed overhead in a soft blue sky, butter yellow light shining down on the meadow. It softened the edges of the trees and grass into a kind of gentle, hazy blur. A breath of warm, sun kissed wind blew across her face and carried with it the smell of the grass. The perfume of opened blossoms tickled her nose, a delicate scent that spoke of spring and lazy days spent basking under the sun.

Albus urged her forward silently. They stepped onto the path. Al was in awe, staring around her in wonder and amazement. She'd never seen anything so wonderful in all her life. Albus was leading her toward a gazebo, painted white with light blue accents, in the middle of the meadow. She could see several people inside of it, their faces hidden from view, lost in the shadows created by the shingled rooftop. It seemed an age before they were taking the three steps up into the semi-open structure.

The roof was supported by thick wooden columns. There were opened areas between each column, allowing a person the opportunity to look around them on all sides. Off in the distance, behind the gazebo, was a meandering stream, the water burbling cheerfully over rocks as it wended its way out of the trees on one side and back into them on the other. There was a stone bridge arched over the waterway, a means of gaining access to both sides without having to dare the water. A pair of deer were standing near the bridge, staring back at her as if they were in as much awe to see her as she was to see them.

Her gaze was brought back to the interior of the gazebo with the sound of someone clearing their throat. The man who had been present to conduct her mother's wedding to Remus stood before her, smiling at her with an indulgent look upon his face. Severus stood on the man's left, merely watching her with the unreadable darkness that was his eyes. Congregated to the left and right of her were the members of the staff, as well as her mother and Remus. And a familiar, pale face. Before she had a chance to check it out, Severus was taking her hand and turning her to face the older gentleman dressed in a set of dark blue robes trimmed in charcoal gray.

'My dear friends,' he intoned, his voice a gentle balm against the nerves that threatened to send Al into a fit of hysterical tears. A sort of serenity dropped over her shoulders like a cloak and the silence stretched a moment, filled with the chatter of squirrels and the songs of birds. 'We are ready to begin.'

Music swelled up out of nowhere, a soft instrumental that was comprised of strings and woodwinds. A pair of flutes, playful and tinkling like fey laughter, comprised the melody. It was high and rode the wind like butterflies chasing one another lazily. Beneath it were the more resonant strains of violins and violas. A lower, gentle harmony held the cello and bass notes. After a brief, merry crescendo, the music lowered until it became part of the background. A sense of calm washed over her and Al turned to look up at Severus with a smile of pure joy on her face.

'Friends, we come here today to honor the commitment of these two souls. To join them together before these witnesses and to bind their hearts to one another with the ties of love,' the man said. Al wasn't sure if he was some kind of church official or if he were something else. He had a wizened face, with kind eyes and a soft smile. There was a quality to his voice that made those around him want to listen and take note of what was happening. She felt that there couldn't be any better person to marry her and Severus than the man standing before them.

'Marriage is the greatest gift we have to give to one another and I know that neither Severus nor Alasdair have decided to enter into it lightly. Though the road they will shortly be walking together will be filled with hardships, it will also be filled with happiness and joy. With a love that no man can sever. I wish to them both all the success in the world.'

The man drew his wand and held it loosely in his right hand. Smiling, he pointed it at Alasdair. 'Severus, take her left hand in yours,' he instructed. 'If you would my dear, please repeat after me.'

Al settled her hand into his, noting the not so firm grasp he had on it. She could see that, though he appeared to be his normal cool self on the outside, there was a fine sheen of sweat coating the palm of his hand and a slight tremor to his fingers that she knew he'd never had before. She sent him a quick smile, hoping he understood that she was just as nervous as he was.

'I, Alasdair Maeve Wyndham,' he began. She repeated her name, her eyes locked on Severus' own so that he knew she was entirely serious about what she was saying and doing. He watched her, listening as she repeated the lines supplied by the elderly gentleman standing over them.

'I, Alasdair Maeve Wyndham, do take thee, Severus Snape, as my husband. I promise to love, honor and cherish you, to remain at your side through the good and bad days to come and to support you in every endeavor with all that is within me. I will treat you as my equal in all ways. I will give you my support, my guidance and my understanding. I will be your wife in all ways possible. I will hold you forever in my heart, the love and light of my life.'

When she was finished, the man waved his wand once, then tapped the tip of it against her left ring finger. There was a brief flash of silver light, then warmth encircled the digit. Slowly, a silver band appeared, gradually materializing out of nowhere. It was heavy and it gleamed in the dim, shadowy light of the enclosed gazebo. A single emerald was mounted on it, sitting up from the band in a claw setting. The stone flashed and winked when a stray sunbeam caught it just right. A second band appeared, nestled right beside the first. This one was similar to the first, though it lacked the emerald. Instead, small diamond chips had been set into the band. Each one of them had been etched with thin lines that wove back and forth and into one another to form a continuous circle of knotwork. On the band with the diamond chips, the weaving was done in such a way that the tiny stones made up gaps between the ribbons that slid in and out of one another.

With a smile, he turned to Severus. 'Repeat after me,' he instructed.

Severus stared into her eyes as he spoke, his voice a soft, silken caress as it washed over her. 'I, Severus Snape, do take thee, Alasdair Maeve Wyndham, as my wife. I promise to love, honor and cherish you, to remain at your side through the good and bad days to come and to support you in every endeavor with all that is within me. I will treat you as my equal in all ways. I will give you my support, my guidance and my understanding. I will be your husband in all ways possible. I will hold you forever in my heart, the love and light of my life.'

A thrill washed through Al as Severus spoke his vows to her. Then the man performing the ceremony waved his wand over Severus' hand, the tip tapping his ring finger once. A band that matched her own appeared on it, a solid band with more knotwork chasing around the surface. A single emerald sat in the center, flanked on either side by two smaller diamond chips. Their hands were covered by a single, wrinkled hand. Its match cupped them from the bottom. Al lifted her gaze to the smiling face of the.... whatever he was. 'By the power vested in me by Merlin, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Severus, you may kiss your bride.'

'I would rather not do such a private thing before so many prying eyes,' he commented lazily. Al blinked up at him a moment or two, then lifted her hand from his and made fist. She shook it at him, just inches under his nose.

'Wrong answer, mister,' she told him menacingly. His lips quirked then, the corners tilting up into a teasing smile that she couldn't recall ever having seen on his face before. It occured to her just then that Severus was laughing at her. Her hand dropped and she could only stare up at him for a few moments. 'Did you just make a joke?' she asked, her voice full of disbelief.

'Well, I'll be damned,' Remus remarked from behind them, mirth bubbling up in his voice. 'The great bat does have a sense of humor. Merlin's beard, what's this world coming to?'

Al watched as Severus visibly debated over saying something. The need to make comment passed through his dark as night eyes, then it was gone and every ounce of his attention was focused solely on her. She smiled faintly, her heart starting to flutter in her chest. There was a look in his eyes, one she knew well. She'd seen it so many times before. It was the look he'd given her when ever he'd been on the verge of doing something wicked to her. She happily leaned closer to him in anticipation.

His hands lifted to cup her cheeks, drawing her even closer to him. A moment before his lips met hers, her eyes slid shut. She sighed, his lips soft and warm against her own. Forgetting for a moment the people gathered to witness their wedding, Al pressed against him. Her arms slid up around his shoulders to hold him close. She couldn't think of anywhere else she longed to be other than right there, in his arms.

The pressure he put on her mouth was gentle, almost as if he were questioning if she wanted him to continue. To deepen the kiss. She inched as close to him as she could, giving him a soft sigh to let him know she wanted the kiss and so much more. His grip on her tightened, his fingers pressing against her jawbone with something she equated to urgency. When his tongue touched her lips, she opened to him without further prodding.

His tongue dipped into her mouth, sliding along her own and the moist walls surrounding it in a proprietory manner. It was almost as if he were once again staking his claim to her, despite the fact that he'd just married her. Flames of desire licked along the nerve endings that his tongue had moved across and touched, tightening the need she had for him into a fine, razor sharp point of blazing passion that made her ache. She wanted him to feel the same thing, too, so she carefully slid her tongue along his own as if dueling him for control. It was a fight she really didn't want to win.

More time than she'd suspected must have passed, because someone was suddenly clearing their throat. It broke them apart. Al knew she went reluctantly. Based on the look she saw in his eyes, the promise that was there, she knew that he planned on making it up to her later. When they were finally alone. She smiled up at him, letting him know without saying a word that she couldn't wait. Finally, as one, they turned to face the crowd gathered around them.

'Its about bloody time. Any more of that and I'd be forced to scourgify my brain,' Draco Malfoy drawled lazily from where he stood, leaning negligently against one of the support posts of the gazebo. Al watched as Severus glared at the young man a moment, then made a point of sighing in what she felt to be an overly dramatic manner. His hand now clutching hers, Severus walked over to where the pale blonde was lounging. The two stared at one another, as if sizing each other up. Then a smile spread across Draco's face and the two of them shook hands.

'It is good to see you, Draco. I am somewhat surprised you are here,' Severus said. The blonde smirked at him in what Al thought was a very familiar manner, given the way Severus rolled his eyes.

'Do you honestly think I would miss the opportunity of a life time? Severus Snape getting married? I never thought it would happen. Besides, I'm going to rub Father's face in this,' Draco told him, his smirk turning into something slightly evil. Al chuckled at the look while Severus scowled.

'Where is your father?' Severus inquired, his voice only just on this side of polite.

'He's back at his flat in London, fuming because I happened to drop to him where I'd be today when I last spoke to him. I honestly don't understand why he has problems with Alasdair,' Draco turned and looked at her, though his next words were still addressed to the man she now claimed as husband. 'She's positively smashing. Perfect for you, too. I wish you two a long and happy life together.'

'Thank you, Draco. I am quite sure Alasdair will be a satisfactory wife,' he commented. Al glanced up at him, then reached up and smacked him on the arm with one hand.

'Comments like that will see you sleeping on the couch, Severus,' she said in her sweetest tones.

'You've married a spitfire, Severus,' Aletha commented happily.

'I know just how to tame her, too,' he drawled, his voice smoky with desire. Al shuddered and turned to face her mother, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. Aletha laughed to see it, then hugged Remus against her.

'You were right, honey. Those two are perfect for one another,' she smiled up at him. Remus grinned and leaned down to drop a kiss on her forehead.

'Come along,' Albus said gaily, motioning to the opening that he and Al had stepped through not that long ago. 'There's a feast awaiting all of us. This is, after all, a very special occasion.'

As one large group, they all stepped down out of the gazebo and into the surrounding field of grass. Dumbledore headed them up. As they walked, the empty field before them was suddenly filled with small, round tables covered by white lace table cloths. Crystal goblets shone in the sunlight, while ornate lanters hung suspended over the table top by a wrought iron hook, a single silver candle flickering brightly inside of them. The base of each one rested on it's respective table in the very center. The small tables were clustered close to one another.

A long, singular table ran lengthwise behind them. Upon it, Al could see heaps foods of all kinds. A wedding cake sat dead center, decorated with tiny, sparkling flowers that looked to be real. Bottles of champagne rested in chilling buckets beside each of the guest's tables. Albus stopped before the long table of food and turned to face the group of people following behind him. He urged Al and Severus to join him, standing them one on each side of him so that he was between them as they stared out at the guests.

'Friends, I'm so pleased that you could gather here today. It is truly a special occasion. Not only have Severus and Alasdair married and pledged their love for one another before you all, but there is another announcement to make,' Albus began.

As he spoke, Alasdair took a moment to look around at the people who stood before them. Many of them were staff members, most likely there because they were the only friends and family Severus seemed to have. Minerva and Poppy were both standing beside one another, dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs that looked well used. While Poppy's was a plain, serviceable white, Minerva's was plaid. It matched the band of plaid that went around the brim of the hat she wore, as well as the trimming on her gown and robes. The rest of the staff was caught between what appeared to be extreme disbelief and unwanted happiness.

Her mother and Remus stood together, both of them smiling. Tears glistened on Aletha's cheeks. Draco stood there as well, grinning like the cat who'd eaten the canary and Al suspected that he planned on giving his father a blow by blow accounting of the entire ceremony and reception. She couldn't quite hold back the smile that curled up her lips at that. She hoped the elder Malfoy choked on his indignant outrage.

Standing at the back of the crowd, looking slightly dazed and confused, was a face Al hadn't thought to see again. She smiled in wonder, now anxious for the old man to finish his speech. She fidgeted excitedly, turning back to Dumbledore to urge he continue by giving him a look. 'This is also a happy occasion because I am pleased to announce to you all that Severus has been kind enough to re-accept the position of Potions Master here at Hogwarts. Neville has realized that his talents lie in other arenas and he has stepped down in the face of a returning legend.'

The crowd went deathly silent. It was enough to let Al know that they hadn't known about this previously. She wondered briefly if Severus had been that rotten a person while teaching here. She glanced at him, saw the hint of amusement in his eyes, and decided that he had been that rotten and he'd enjoyed it. He was also looking forward to doing so again.

'I'm quite certian that Alasdair and Severus thank you all for coming, so I won't keep you a moment longer. Please feel free to sample the delights the Elves have worked so hard to provide, mingle amongst one another and generally enjoy the afternoon,' Albus said over the sound of chirpring crickets. Chatter resumed and Al found herself pulling away to hurry across the meadow.

'Allie!' the voice exclaimed excitedly only moments before Al was throwing herself into Brenda's arms. The two women hugged tightly for several long moments, then broke apart to simply stare at one another. 'Good grief, girl! I've missed you! I haven't heard from or seen you in so long. I was starting to think you were dead. Where have you been hiding?'

'I'm sorry, Brenda. I had no idea that Severus hadn't informed you as to what was going on. If I had,' she sighed and turned to look at where he stood, chatting animatedly with the Headmaster. 'I would have kicked his ass a long time ago.'

'There's no reason to be upset with him, sweetheart. He's a man and.... well,' Brenda sighed and shook her head. 'Men don't think like we women do.'

'I kind of figured that one out,' she smiled. Then she returned all of her attention to Brenda fully. 'What are you doing here? How did you even know to come? I don't understand.'

'Your man showed up at the diner yesterday and told me you and he were getting married. He asked me if I could possibly find the time to get away from work so that I could be here for your special day. Naturally, I said I could. So here I am, though I must admit that I don't recall much of the flight over. This is some place.'

There was genuine confusion in Brenda's eyes and Al knew that there was no way on earth she could ever fully explain it. She was still adjusting to life here at Hogwarts herself. 'Its a school, actually. And I work here. I'm the Headmaster's secretary,' Al told her, smiling broadly.

'That's wonderful, Allie!' Brenda exclaimed, happiness in her voice. 'I always knew you were better than that job waiting tables in the diner. I hope you're happy here.'

'Actually, yes I am,' Al nodded. She saw Brenda's eyes flick to something over her shoulder and turned to see Remus and her mother strolling up to them. When the two of them joined her, she slipped her arm around her mother and hugged her close. 'Brenda, this is my mother. I know I told you about her. And this is Remus Lupin. A good friend and my new step-father.'

Brenda smiled at them both, taking a moment to stare at Aletha. Her gaze moved to Remus and she nodded to herself as if seeing something she'd known before, but was just now affirming. 'I'm pleased to meet you both. Al has told me so much about you, Aletha. Its good to see you so healthy. I have to admit I was worried when I went by your house and found that Kevin didn't know where you'd gone.'

'I left suddenly,' Aletha replied softly, glacing up at Remus. 'Given the nature of our relationship, I didn't think Kevin deserved to know where I was going. I'm only glad he's out of my life. Poor Dare had to bear the brunt of his cruelty.'

'Yes, I know. Allie came in more than once moving slower than a snail's pace. How she managed to keep him from putting her into the hospital or killing her is beyond me,' Brenda frowned. She stared at the trees for a moment, as if recalling something, then turned and gave all of her attention to Remus. 'And Allie mentioned you a time or two, young man. Its nice to finally meet you.'

'A pleasure, Brenda,' Remus replied with a smile.

'So you're Allie's new step-father. You'd better take good care of my girl, or I'll come find you and beat you up,' Brenda warned. While there was a certain amount of teasing in her voice, there was also a certain amount of real warning there. Remus nodded hid head. Al was ready to take up his defense when she felt a presence behind her. She turned to find Severus standing there, staring down at her.

'Severus?' she asked softly, afraid that there was something wrong. Maybe now that the deed was done, he regretted it. She felt the others still around them, waiting to hear what ever it was he had to say.

'How much longer must we stay here amidst this?.....' he searched for the right word, his hand all the while gesturing in a circular motion. Finally, he shook his head and let go a sigh that smacked of long suffering. 'When can we retire to my rooms and continue with the sexual acrobatics we were engaged in last night? I quite liked the idea you had regarding the uses of chocolate and would like to see you actually put them into play.'

Al barely managed to keep the blush out of her cheeks.This wasn't something she wanted her mother to hear about.

'If she's as imaginative as her mother, I'm sure you're in for a jolly good time of it,' Remus assured him. Al's eyes went wide and she looked to where her mother stood. Aletha's face was flaming red with embarrassment. Remus laughed outright and hugged his wife closer to him. Severus chucked and took Al's hand in his own.

'Much as I would love to discover such a thing at this very precise moment, the old goat is hinting with all the subtlety of a brick upside the head that he wants us to cut the cake and get the festivities underway,' Severus told them softly. He glanced at Aletha and Brenda, giving them both a slight smile that was genuine and completely tranformed his face into something a little softer and a little more handsome. He turned to Remus and the two men merely stared at one another for a few long moments of silence. Then he tipped his head at his once enemy and turned to stroll back toward the table, Al in tow.

'Albus didn't tell the others that you were coming back to teach, did he?' she asked as they took their time to cross the green meadow. She watched as he smiled again, a look that was rotten to the core.

'I asked him not to. I wanted to see their faces when he announced it. It was very much worth it,' he chuckled softly, then turned to look at her. 'They do not like me.'

'I gathered that much, silly shit,' she returned with a laugh of her own. 'And now that I've married you, I'm sure they're all wondering what the hell is wrong with me. Because they've all been so nice to me since I came here. They accepted me as one of their own, even though I can't do magic. I had considered going home at the end of the last term, back to the States, but they talked me out of it. Neville asked me to marry him and...'

The look on his face made her trail off for a moment. There were black clouds settling there, as if he were going to suddenly burst into storm. 'He asked me, then he changed his mind when he saw me watching you play at the end of term feast. He's the one who said no. Not me. I never got a chance,' she explained gently. 'I would have told him no if he hadn't beaten me to it. I love you and only you. Neville is sweet, but he isn't half as exciting and dangerous as you are.'

'I should hex his testicle off. First he tries to steal my future wife and then..... ' he stopped a moment as if a thought had struck him, then glanced up at her and frowned. 'You were at the concert?'

'Of course I was. I hid in back because I thought you hated me. But I had to see you,' she admitted without pause. She smiled at him. 'I love you and only you.'

His face softened slightly, a serious look creeping into his eyes that was a blend of emotions. Al knew that, if she tried, she wouldn't be able to even come close to naming what they were. But she thought she might have seen a small measure of fear in the deep blackness that was his stare. 'Should you ever deign to leave me again, I will not be held responsible for my actions. I am still amazed that the band did not simply toss me out on my ear, I was such an unbelievable prick to them.'

Al stopped walking and blinked, her gaze quickly moving around to look at the small group that had assembled for their wedding. It hadn't struck her until now that she hadn't seen any of the band members in the crowd. Nor had she seen Neville, who had promised her he'd be there to see her wedding take place, if only to assure himself that Snape actually meant to go through with it. She looked up at Severus, who was staring down at her with both curiosity and amusement coloring his expression. 'Where is the rest of the band? And where's Neville? He told me he'd be here and I would have thought that your friends would want to join you for such a momentous day.'

He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off as all eyes turned to stare behind them. A sound caught her attention and they both turned together to see what was going on. A dias had appeared just in front of the gazebo and she could see that it already contained a massive drum kit, gleaming in green and black. A wall of amplifiers stood behind the drums, black as night against the bright back drop of the meadow. She watched as, one by one, the remaining members of the band moved across the stage to take their places.

'Severus?' she looked up at him.

'I have no clue as to what goes on here,' he shrugged, his shoulders lifting slightly. A gasp, audible and loud in the stillness of the field, brought her gaze back to the make-shift stage. Taking the center, clad in a dark blue velvet coat that hung to his knees. Smart looking lapels lay against his chest, while a froth of white lace spilling from the gap between the lapels of his coat. A pair of moderately fitting leather trousers covered his legs and a pair of boots finished the ensemble. His hair, always curly and unruly, hung rakishly across his forehead.

'Bloody hell,' Severus groaned.

The band started playing, a slow song that was absolutely nothing like their normal fare. Severus rolled his eyes. Al glanced up at him, noting the pained expression on his face, before her attention was drawn back to the stage. Neville was just starting the words to the first song, something soft, slow and sappy from the eighties. She smiled as he crooned into the microphone before him, his voice a gentle whisper of sound that drove contentment into her brain. 'I don't know, Severus. I think he has a good voice. Maybe he'll be the next big rock star.'

A snort answered her. She looked up at her husband, noting the snarl that curled his lips up. 'Nobody is bigger than I.'

Al smirked, her mouth blossoming into a knowing smile that promised a great many things. 'Well, you're just going to have to prove that to me. Aren't you?'

~*~*~*~*~

The rooms that Severus held in the dungeons were dark and silent after the brilliance and mirth of the meadow they'd come from. After what he'd considered to be a completely acceptable length of time, he'd announced they were leaving the reception. His words were met with several looks of disgust and a few knowing winks that made Al wonder what the staff had been considering without her knowledge. They'd been stopped by Draco at the doors, who'd told them both point blank to enjoy one another while they had the chance. Al suspected that the young man's family life hadn't been one of the best. Having met his father, she could easily believe it. The reception had still been in full swing when Severus had, not very politely, pulled her from the room.

Now they were safely ensconced in his rooms. Al stood in the middle of his living room, staring at him as he leaned against the door as if he expected her to bolt for it. His eyes rested on her, large and a fathomless black that bore a very predatory look in them. She watched him carefully, as if she were a bird and he a snake ready to attack. She smiled up at him. 'Severus?' she asked softly, wondering what was going through his head.

Without saying a word, he pushed away from the door and stalked toward her. She could read the intent in his eyes, the deep hunger at ate at him and she wondered for a moment what had brought this on. She'd never seen such a look of want and.... hunger.... in his eyes before. When he reached her, he dragged her almost violently into his arms. 'What is it, Severus? Why are you so.... possessive?' she queried, sliding her arms around his neck to show him she didn't plan on fighting this. Not now. Not ever.

'You are now officially and forever mine,' he said, his voice barely above a whisper. 'Nothing will ever, ever come between us again.'

Al blinked up at him, watching as his eyes went from hard, glittering obsidian disks to soft, velvet night. She realized suddenly that his possessive behavior had been the last of a hidden fear. She went up on tip-toes and kissed him softly, her lips pressing gently on his own. 'Did you think I'd change my mind?' she asked him. He said nothing, but she could see the lingering tendrils of doubt reflected in his eyes. She smiled again, broader this time, and hugged him tight. 'I love you, Severus Snape. I've loved you since the moment I laid eyes on your picture, where you were all brooding and arrogant bastard. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought you'd pick me out of the crowd.'

'There was something about you that I could not ignore. From the moment I first spied you in the crowd, I was capitivated. You can be sure I fought the urge, resisted temptation as strongly as I could. But I was helpless in the end, caught in the pull of that which is you. Your strong, silent personality. Your beauty and compassion. Your genuine nature. You ensnared me as easily as if you had cast a spell upon my very soul. I am now, and forever, yours. You may not have magic like mine, but you have a magic all your own. And it has done the job well.'

Al couldn't stop the tears that pricked her eyelids at his words. As far as declarations went, it wasn't quite the thing of deep, lasting romance. But, for Severus, it was more eloquent and beautiful than if he'd used the finest prose. Her heart filled with the love she had for him and she pressed closer to him. 'If I could do magic, though...' she trailed off, laying her head against his chest as she hugged him close to her. 'Did you create that very realistic meadow where we got married?'

'No, I did not. That was the Headmaster's doing. He is quite the old, romantic fool. My magic is not so beautiful as all that. My magic tends to be darker and more cruel. Some would say it is evil, as I am,' he admitted softly, his words and tone careful and controlled. Al lifted her head away from his chest to look up at him.

'You are not evil. You are just as beautiful as that meadow was and I'm so lucky to have you,' she said, her voice firm. He stared down at her, his face an unreadable mask.

'You would not say such a thing if you had been witness to my past,' he said slowly.

'I have seen your past. And it made you the man you are today. Not to mention, its in the past. Over and done with. This is the present and you're no longer that same person. The present is going to give way to our future together. Its going to be wonderful. You wait and see,' she assured him. She stared, amazed when his eyes changed once more and she thought she saw something like sorrow in them. 'Severus? What's wrong?'

'You have such faith in me. In who I am as a man,' he said gently. 'I do not deserve your kindness any more than I deserve you. I promise I will do everything that is within my power to make you happy, Alasdair. You will never regret becoming my wife.'

'Shut up and kiss me,' she grinned at him, then went up on her tip-toes once more. He met her halfway this time, his lips taking hers in a slow, heated kiss that sent flames of desire licking along ner nerves so that every inch of her skin was set on fire. His arms tightened around her, pressing her against him almost to the point of crushing her. Then they relaxed and he pulled away before she had the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

'Shall we retire to the bed chambers for the rest of the week?' he asked her, his voice gone low and silky. The sound rubbed across her skin and made her heart pound with promise. Heat pooled in her loins at it and she smiled up to him, the look in her eyes gone sultry with her own need.

'See if you can keep up,' she smirked. His hand grasped in hers, she turned and led him toward his bedroom. The short trip across the living area was made in silence. When they were both in his bedroom, he shut the door and slowly advanced on her, his hands already working furiously at the buttons of his formal robes.

'Undress, wife. Now!' he ordered curtly, his gaze fastened on the low neckline of her gown, where her breasts heaved with her wild breathing. She watched him, her hands hanging limply at her sides. 'You do not want me to do this for you. In my impatience, I may well rip your gown to shreds. So unless you wish it to be ruined beyond repair, I suggest you disrobe.'

'I can't reach the back,' she told him as she slipped her robes off and slowly folded them up. Carefully, she laid it on the chair and looked up at him. He had succeeded in removing his robes, the coat beneath and was working on his shirt. 'There are ties that hold it and....'

He moved toward her and turned her back to him, pushing her hair over her shoulders to expose the back of the gown she wore. Thin, satin laces of dark purple criss-crossed over the material low on her back. It was quick work to undo them. When the tightness eased, Al slowly worked the gown off, pushing it down over her hips and then to the floor. She picked it up and laid it over the chair that held her robes, then turned to face him in her underwear. Pale lavender lace cupped her breasts, caressed the soft flesh between her thighs, essentially hiding her charms from view. Severus groaned softly, bringing her gaze to his own. She was shocked to see the raw need burning in his eyes, etched into every line of his face.

It was as if everything were moving in slow motion now. Severus finished with his clothing, dispensing with the shirt and his trousers, his shoes having been kicked off sometime long ago. She watched as he bent and dragged the socks from his feet, then stood to stare back at her. He was all hard lines and flat planes, his body thin but muscular. Sparse hair grew around his nipples, pale nubbins of flesh only slightly darker than the rest of his skin. His abdomen was firm and flat, a well defined six pack that she'd barely noticed before. He was like some ancient, dark diety cast in marble then made into flesh and blood.

He might not be what many considered handsome in the conventional sense of the word, but there was a kind of sensualism to him that she found to be irresistable. Not that Al didn't think he wasn't handsome. He was in his own way. But it wasn't in the physical sense so much as in all the other ways possible. It was subtle and hidden, but she knew it was there by the way he was able to turn her on and make her so mindless with her need that she was blind to any other man. Others might not agree with her on this, but she didn't care. She'd married him because she loved him. She didn't plan on spending any more of her life without him there. He was hers, completely and irrevocably hers. She didn't plan on letting him ever forget it. A smirk lifted up the corners of her mouth as she continued on with her visual exploration of his body.

Her gaze stopped at his groin, noting the thatch of dark hair that surrounded his shaft, the thickness of his glorious erection as it jutted up and away from him. It was filled with blood, bobbing with each of his breaths, beckoning her to him in an almost hypnotic manner. She couldn't help but think of a snake again, charming its intended prey with the side to side movement of its head. She was caught by the motion. The idea that she did this to him, that she got him this hard and aching, sent thick pulses of desire through her system. They slid around her body, moving into each nerve ending until she was tingling with need. Then they all moved as one into her belly and sent burning lightning bolts deep into her very center. Al couldn't help the shudder that filled her as the passion took control.

She held a hand out to him, beckoning him closer. He stepped into her, staring down into her face with silent inquiry. She gave him a soft smile, then slowly sank to her knees before him. It had been a very long time since she'd indulged in such an activity. Her hands reached out first, taking hold of his shaft with a gentle grip, to stroke up and down the length a few times. She felt the faint tremor that ran through his muscles and knew that she couldn't spend very much time at her endeavor. Lifting up so that she was level with his groin, she leaned forward to press a gentle kiss to the head of his erection. He drew a breath, a sharp intake of air that only affirmed her assessment of the situation.

With excruciatingly slow motions, Al drew him into her mouth. His groan was her reward for her actions. It was a heady feeling to know she could so affect him with very little effort. Stilling her movements when she had taken only about half of him, she rolled her eyes up to look him in the face, then continued to pull the rest of his length into her mouth. His hands clenched into fists a moment before they settled on her shoulders. Her own ended up on his hips, then she drew back, allowing him to slip out of her mouth while her tongue dragged along the large vein on the underside of his cock.

'Vixen,' he panted, his jaw tight. She gave him a look, then began the process of taking him all the way back into mouth. Silence was broken only by the sound of his ragged breathing and the occasional sucking sound Al made as she continued to work her mouth up and down his erection. Gradually, his fingers dug into her shouders with more and more pressure, telling her that he was trying very hard to control himself. A satisfied sigh rolled up her throat, vibrating along the length of his shaft held in her mouth. He groaned again. Smirking around him, Al went back to sucking at his thick length with slow, even, measured strokes that she knew would continue to drive him wild.

'Enough, Alasdair,' Severus panted, his fingers tight on her shoulders as he tried to push her away from him. She allowed him to, his cock slipping from her mouth with an audible pop that sounded loud in the large room. She sat back on her feet to stare up at him. There were lines of strain around his eyes and mouth, telling her he'd been holding himself back. 'I cannot take much more of your talented mouth. This is your wedding night and I wish it to be something you will want to remember for the rest of your lifetime. If you continue with this, I will not be able to give you that.'

She stared up into his face, seeing in it an expression she'd never thought to see from him. There was gentleness there, as well as a warmth that she was sure many people believed him to be incapable of displaying. His eyes were still black as sin, though now they held the promise of deep pleasure. Her heart went into overdrive, pounding hard in her chest as she continued to gaze up at him. He held a hand out to her, pulling her to her feet when she put her own into his. Then he drew her into his embrace, his head lowering until their lips met.

The kiss was soft and gentle, his mouth a sweet pressure against her own. Al wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer to her. A charge of electricity went through her when his rigid erection pressed shamelessly against her belly. She couldn't explain their reactions to one another. They'd had sex just yesterday, but there hadn't been this overwhelming sense of passion and desire, of need. It was as if their marriage had added something deeper and more intense to their relationship. If sex was going to feel like this every time from now on, she knew she could get addicted fast.

The tip of his tongue prodded at her lips, tracing the seam between them as it begged for entrance. She opened to him fully. Not just her mouth but all of her. Every part of her was his now and she willingly gave it to him, sinking deeply into his arms while his tongue drove into her mouth and stroked it inside as if he were stroking his hands up and down her body. The feel of him pressed against her, of his hands cupping her head as if it were something gentle and delicate, of his tongue so diligently teasing her passions to greater heights by touching and marking every inch of her mouth, were driving her insane. She moaned softly, her legs gone weak with the desire for him that ran through her body.

Slowly, he walked her backwards until she felt the bed at the backs of her legs. His hands shifted positions, one arm curling around her waist to hold her tightly to him while the other stretched out so that he could lower them both to the bed with gentle ease. When she was prone on the mattress, he covered her with his body, pressing her down into the soft depths as he settled over her fully. Her legs shifted open, allowing him to settle between her splayed thighs, then she wrapped them around his waist and held him close.

His mouth left hers, traveling down over her cheek to her ear. There, he nibbled at the lobe and laved the flesh around it with his tongue.Tiny shochwaves of hunger shot through her, arching her back up into his chest so that they were as close as they could get to one another without actually being joined as one. He shifted lower, his lips now trailing blazing kisses down the column of her throat. When he found the spot where her shoulder joined with her neck, he clamped his teeth down and bit. A gasp of surprised pleasure was torn from his lips as he continued to bite and suck there.

'Mine,' he murmured, lifting his head long enough to lathe the spot with his tongue. Al knew that there would be a large, telling bruise there soon. She didn't mind it at all, either. Then thoughts were driven from her head as his mouth began kissing along the line of her shoulder. He kissed over to her arm, then cut back across her flesh until his mouth found the swell of her breast. Here, he alternated between kissing and biting, leaving tiny love marks on the flesh there that ran in a line up to her nipple.

She arched again when his lips closed over the puckered peak, his teeth grating across it as he suckled and nibbled.

'Oh god, Severus. Please,' she rasped, her body consumed by the flames of desire that he was igniting within her. She heard him chuckle, then shivered when he moved his head to the neglected breast. The previously tormented breast was covered again, this time by his hand. His palm was warm and slightly calloused. It grated on the sensitive tip as he massaged her breast, his fingers squeezing and kneading gently.

His mouth continued lower, dropping kisses on her quivering abdomen, his tongue leaving a trail of slick moisture as he traced patterns down to her navel. When the tip of that wet muscle dipped into her belly button, she moaned softly. Her hands lifted, reaching up to cup his head. Fingers twined in the sleek black hair, catching in the tight braid that held those long tresses back. She tugged at his head gently, silently begging him to do something more.

Hot, moist breath brushed across her most sensitive flesh, a puff of air directed at her clit. Al made a mewling sound, her body writhing at the feel of it. A finger traced the swollen edges of her nether lips, barely grazing the tiny nubbin that would give her so much pleasure as he passed it. 'So hot. So wet. You never cease to amaze me. You are always so ready for me, just from a thought or a brief touch,' he whispered softly. Al pried open eyes she hadn't been aware of shutting and looked at him. He was staring directly at her aching pussy, his eyes utterly unreadable. 'I could spend the rest of my life here, tasting and tormenting you.'

Her back arched, her body spasming when his tongue touched her core, gently lapping at the juices she'd produced for him. Because of him. A low moan rumbled up his throat, a sound of pure decadence and pleasure. Hands joined that probing muscle, nimble fingers both peeling her lips apart to open her up to him and slipping inside of her to tease and tempt further. She shuddered at the contact, a mini orgasm ripping through her that left her breathless and limp on the bedding.

Severus took that as his sign to begin in earnest.

Long strokes of his tongue tantilized her. He started at the bottom, drawing the strong bit of pink flesh up, gently pushing it into the opening of her body to thrust into her channel before pulling back so that it could drag up over her clit. Each slow, measured touch brought a shudder to her frame. She gasped and pleaded mindlessly with him, begging for something more. And yet he took his time, occasionally halting the progress of his tongue to slip a pair of fingers into her. Small, wet sounds accompanied the movements of his fingers, her hips rocking up into them in an attempt to take them deeper into her.

'Your skin is flushed with your passions and pleasure. You are a tapestry of desire, your beauty there to see in the way your nipples tighten,' he whispered to her, his fingers slowly pistoning in and out of her body. She was tightening again, his tongue and hands pushing her closer and closer to the edge of madness. 'Some artist painted you for me, a study in wanton and wicked glory meant for my eyes alone. With you, I can be the man that is loved and desired by all. Because I am loved and desired by you. You are ravishment in the flesh. And you are all mine.'

She gasped when his mouth touched her, settling over the slick flesh between her thighs until he was able to suck her clit into it. At the same moment, his fingers slid back into her and began pumping in a slow, deep rhythm that had her arching her hips mindlessly. He sucked and sucked, drawing the muscles in her thighs and abdomen tight and tighter. Al was on the verge of exploding. Her hands once more found their way into his hair, clutching at his head while he continued to assault her body with his mouth and tongue and fingers.

With his teeth.

The moment he settled his teeth against her clit, she broke apart and fell into orgasm. Her body went tense and tight, shivering under him as he continued to fuck her with his fingers and nip at her clit with his teeth. Her vision burst into stars and fireworks even though her eyes were tightly closed. Colors and light flashed across her eyelids while her deep, throaty moan echoed around the room. And still he continued on, drawing her orgasm out for several long moments before relenting and lifting himself away from her.

When the flashes of color faded from her vision, Al looked up to see Severus looking down into her face. He leaned forward, his mouth taking hers again. His tongue drove inside without permission or resistance, giving her a taste of herself. The act was both slightly repulsive and highly erotic and she felt herself grow even more aroused with it. Slipping her arms around his neck, she drew him closer to her, pressing her body against his insistently.

Never breaking his mouth from hers, she felt Severus shift slightly until the head of his cock was nestled against her weeping core. In an oh so excruciatingly slow move, he pressed forward until he filled her completely. She moaned into his mouth, automatically lifting her legs up to wrap them around his waist. Mouths still locked on one another, his hips began to rock back and forth, pistoning his thick shaft in and out of her welcoming body with slow, long, deep thrusts.

It was almost more than she could stand, having him buried inside of her and once more working her to the edge of madness again. His pace was slow and languid, as if he had all the time in the world to arouse her. She shifted her hands from his hair, moving them so that they rested on his hips, just above the curve of his ass. She was in heaven, awed at his body's ability to take her to another plane where the pleasure was more intense and the need was greater. She was so tight around him, the feel of him sliding in and out of her almost painful. It was as if she'd forgotten how big he was since their last bout of wild sex. Or as if he'd grown. The tightness that he continued to push into was slightly painful, though the pleasure was so much more

He tore his mouth from hers, gasping for breath as his hips picked up their pace. She panted and gasped, her body moving in time with his own to meet each of his thrusts, to take him deeper and attempt to hold him there while his own demanded that he drive in and out faster and faster. Her body was so tight around his that she could feel the changes in his body and knew he was fast approaching his own release.

Skin slapping skin filled the room, accompanied by grunts and groans. Al had her legs wrapped around him tightly, her hands on his arms where her fingers dug and clutched mindlessly. He was swelling inside of her, growing in preparation of his climax. She opened her eyes to look up at him, the blue in them dark with her passion. 'Please, Severus,' she begged on a whisper. He reared back, kneeling back onto his lower legs. Her legs still wrapped around him dragged her with him, shifting her position so that she lay partially on his lap. It allowed him to slide even deeper. Her moan of satisfaction filled the air and drove him on.

He began thrusting again, his hips moving in earnest so that he was slamming himself into her as hard as he could. He was so close. She could feel it. Clenching her muscles down around him tightly, she silently asked for more.

Again, he reared up so that he was now kneeling. Hands that had curled into her hips took her with so that most of her body was suspended off the bed. They thrashed against one another, his thrusts becoming shorter and harder. Her own body was growing tight again, preparing for a final orgasm that she knew would leave her limp and mindless. With a final, loud cry, Severus drove himself into her body deeply and stilled. She felt his body explode with his release, felt the pulsing of his cock as he emptied himself into her. One of his arms slid under her hips, holding her up while the other hand moved to find the spot where their bodies were joined. His fingers slipped between the fold of flesh and found her clit.

A few harsh strokes of his fingertip sent her screaming into the abyss. Her body went rigid around his, the tightness of her muscles milking the last of his climax from him. When the bursts of colors had cleared and she could see once again, she smiled up at him sleepily. A faint smile crossed his lips, then he slowly lowered the two of them down onto the bed.

As soon as they were laying, Al rolled over and curled up against him. She settled her head down on his shoulder and threw an arm across his chest. 'Mmmmm,' she managed, sleep taking hold of her actions and her voice. 'That was amazing.'

'Yes, it was,' he whispered against her hair., his arm curling around her shoulder so that he could cradle her against him. She was relaxed against him, nearly completely lost to slumber. He pressed a kiss to her head and sighed, silently managing a spell to drag the covers up over them. 'Sleep well, Alasdair.'

She snuggled closer.

'I love you, wife.'

Al fell asleep with a smile on her face.

end chapter thirty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

thanks go out to my gang. they all know who they are and, without them, i probably would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. i love them all very much and i can never, ever repay them for everything they've ever done. extra special thanks to my kitty cat and onyx, for their unwaivering, staunch support in the face of all my neuroses. i don't think i've ever had two better friends.

any mistakes you find within this text are my own fault, as i do all my own beta work. hopefully, they aren't too many and too horrid. please don't shoot me. and, again, if you find that you've enjoyed this..... feel free to leave me a review to let me know.

and finally, a few thank you's.....

to star: thanks for that, sweetie. yes, more chapters, but only two. this last one and the next. it should be wrapped up fairly soon. *sniffles* i love this story, but i can't keep working on it forever. so it must end and i think you'll agree that what i end it with will be fitting stay tuned for that. hope you enjoy this chapter, too.

to sheedy: thanks a bunch. glad you liked it.

to ozarkmoon: yes, i suppose she wouldn't be bothered by his hair, but its been a thing. i think its because he kept it shorter before his music career and that's how she sees him. i rather liked her answer to his proposal, too. she's right. it was about damn time. and you're most welcome.

to l'etje: sorry this didn't get done any sooner. my brain is mush and my Muses are on strike, the bastards. but here it is, for your reading pleasure. i hope it makes up for the length of time. and a Happy New Year to you, too.

to kodiak: hope you like this one. and thanks for reading!

to Miriam: i'm glad you liked it. i hope you like this one as much.

to luinloriel: you cried? wow. i'm speechless. i'm so pleased that you've enjoyed my vision. i have to admit that the idea of Severus being a rock star might seem a bit far-fetched, but i had to write it when the bunny bit. "Bound in Leather" is actually not my first. i have, in total, nine fictions written in the Harry Potter universe, as well as six in the originals category. and i plan to keep on writing. my goal is to one day be a real, paid, published author. and there will be one last chapter after this one, sort of a way to tie it all up. i plan on starting it as soon as i post this one.