When There Is No War

A/N: I am stuck between making a prequel or sequel. :/

Review Responses:

staar: We shall see if she kisses him... hmm...

loisa: Yes, sadly, all good things must come to an end. *cries*

Chapter 40: Learn To Take a Hint

Audrey apparated to Severus' doorstep. She had apparated originally to Emerald Stones, thinking he was there, but Lily said he hadn't been there much for about a month now.

The bitter, fall weather had took the leaves of Severus' apple tree and scattered them along the walk path, mixing in with the ones from the maple tree across the street.

She pulled her parka around her neck as the howling wind tried freezing her to death that late October morning. Taking a deep breath, and inhaling the cold air, she stepped up to his stoop and knocked at the door.

Netti answered the door. "Miss Audrey!" She opened the door so Audrey can come through. "Netti is so happy to see Miss Audrey!"

"Severus didn't send you back home?"

The house elf fidgeted with her hands. "Master is a bit lonely lately." She whispered. "Master says Netti is good company. Even if Netti's voice pierces through Master's head like an icy blade."

Audrey laughed, knowing those words were not hers. "Where is he?"

Netti frowned. "Master Severus is in Master's bed." She shook her head with pity. "Poor Master Severus."

"He'll be fine soon. I am sure." Audrey said eyeing the closed door of his room.

"Miss is moving back in?" Netti asked with a hopeful look.

"We'll see." Audrey said, giving the house elf her parka. "Would you take care of this?"

"Of course! Anything for Miss Audrey!"

Audrey didn't bother knocking on his bedroom door, assuming he may be asleep, since Netti hadn't been too quiet with their conversation.

"Severus?" She called out softly stepping in the room. He was buried under a mound of green blankets. She unearthed his head to find him breathing with sleep. Audrey set her hand against his cheek and found it was very warm to her cold hand.

"Stop, Netti!" Severus' flew eyes open. "Shit, that's cold." He muttered. He then noticed it wasn't Netti and he bolted up, covering his body with the blankets. Audrey was sure he was nude under them at that point and smirked.

"What are you doing here?" Severus asked slowly.

"I came to see you." She said guiltily.

"All of a sudden? After four weeks?"

"Well, there was a reason that I haven't been coming by." She sat next to him on the bed. "But my darling five year old has informed me that I have been severely mistaken."

Severus looked at her like she was nutty. "That's not answering my question."

"Are you naked under there?" She pulled at his blanket.

"Have you no limits, woman?!" He shrieked, his voice abnormally high, tightening his grip on the blankets.

Audrey giggled. "You're modesty is very adorable, Severus."

Severus cocked up an eyebrow. "Adorable?" He drawled unenthusiastically. "Again, why are you in here?"

Audrey put an arm around his neck. "I've been told that you miss having me around." She whispered into his ear. "Is that true?"

Severus cleared his throat uneasily. "Well... You are..." he coughed nervously. "Decent company."

"Nothing more?" She asked with no innocence to her voice.

He turned his head to look at her, his black eyes searching hers for answers, shifting back and forth. "Are you... here for more than just a hello, Audrey?" He asked with uncertainly.

Audrey scoffed. "What does a woman have to do to get you to kiss them, Severus Snape?! Beg for it?! Well fine, then! Would you please just kiss me already?!"

He wasted no more time then, he put his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers, doing the one thing he had been dreaming about for the past seven weeks.

* / *

"Audrey?"

"Hmm...?" Audrey's eyes were closed, a smile on her face as she lay in the arms of the man next to her.

"I think I might be in love with you..." Severus whispered fearfully.

She bit her lip, trying to hide a grin. "You think?"

"Well... Lily says I am..."

"Lily is a smart woman, Severus."

"I just..." he paused. "Until recently, it was always her." He sighed. "I still love her, as a friend, but, I'll be honest, Audi, all I can think about is you."

Audrey smiled and laced her fingers with his. "The feeling is mutual, Severus." She said kissing his bare shoulder.

"Really?" He asked in disbelief.

Audrey nodded.

"I think about Andrew too." He admitted. "I know he's part of a packaged deal."

"A packaged deal?" Audrey snickered. "Are you planning on buying us, Sev?"

"Whatever it takes, Audi. You know how Slytherins are. And I have loads and loads to do it with." He pulled her closer to him. "We'll do anything to get what we want." He kissed the side of her head and didn't say anything for a moment. "You know... this could work out for everyone." Severus said thoughtfully. He then snorted. "Except for Black, maybe."

"Ah, yes, Sirius is most definitely going to be displeased with our new found love for each other."

"But we don't care, do we?"

"I think it's going to be... thoroughly entertaining." She said amusingly.

Severus smirked. "My thought exactly."

* / *

"Is Uncle Severus and my mummy going to get married?" Andrew asked Langston in the public loo of a Wizard's restaurant, having had noticed they had constantly been holding hands like Daddy and Remus.

"Maybe." Langston said, lifting him up so he could wash his hands.

"And will Uncle Severus be my daddy then?" Tears were in his eyes. "I still love my daddy." His lip quivered. "And Remus too!"

"Andrew, you silly boy!" Langston hugged him. "It doesn't work that way. You will still have Sirius, Remus, and Audrey. Severus will be like... a second dad. Like... Well.. Like.. what my dad would have been to you if Audrey had married him."

Andrew's eyes widened. "Severus wont yell at me, like Ted, will he!?"

"Of course not, Andrew! Has Severus ever yelled at you?"

Andrew wiped his face with the back of his hand, thinking. "Ted didn't either until Mummy got sick."

"Kid, Severus is nothing like my dad. Severus is the most wickedest guy out there, and you are going to be very lucky to have him as a dad." Langston told him. "If they get married, that is." He added sternly.

"They love each other! They have to!"

"I'm not against the idea either. It's up to them though." Langston said taking the boy's hand, leading him out of the bathroom and back to the table where Audrey and Severus sat next to each other at a booth.