To Love and To Lose

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters that you recognize. The new ones are my own creations. The name of the Naked Lady pub I took from a TV program called ‘The A-Team’. Thought if was a wonderful idea.

Another chapter here for you. I hope you like it. Please let me know if you do.

RWH


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Eight

Friday evening-Saturday morning

She laid in his arms, contented to just lay sprawled over him watching him as he slept. They had made love long into the night and had both fallen into a peaceful, sated sleep, their legs entwined above the blankets. The bar in the bed didn’t bother them this time. Severus did something to it when she was in the bathroom. Not that she was complaining mind you, whatever it was he did, she was grateful. It was the first good night’s sleep she had in months.

She had awoken a few minutes earlier and was now just watching him sleeping, listening to him snoring contentedly. The sun hadn’t yet risen so she knew that it was still early probably not even four. The side table lamp shone dimly as she settled herself more tightly against Severus feeling his arm tightening more around her in response.

She raised her head to gaze into his sleeping face. He wa ver very handsome. In sleep, he looked so relaxed, so happy. She reached out and traced his lips with a fingertip trying not to giggle when he feebly tried to wave the irritating feeling away. She grinned as she tickled his lip again and shrieked when he finally reached out and grabbed her hand.

“That’s enough of that.”

His deep voice rumbled as he opened his eyes to smile up at her his eyes blazing with sleep and desire.

“Sorry, but you looked so gorgeous just sleeping there.”

He chuckled and pulled her down to him savoring the feel of her body against his.

“There are better ways of waking me up, my Sweet.”

“I know, but not quite as amusing.” She beamed down at him and leaned forward to kiss him gently. “You have this cute, cranky look when you’re irritated in your sleep.”

“You should see me when I’m irritated while I’m awake.”

She bent forward and kissed him even deeper. “You’re not irritated now, are you?” She purred and purposefully brushed a hand over his hips, moving closer to her intended destination.

He groaned and captured her hand while rolling her over. Bringing her hands up above her head he lowered his face to hers giving her his most *Professor Snapeish* glare.

“I can be a right bastard when I want to.”

“Oh?” He eyes lit up with desire. “Then show me.”

To her delight, he did.


*Later*


Hogwart’s students and faculty alike would have a conniption if they could see him now. Sitting down to a nice home cooked brest mst made by her own two hands. No magic or house elves anywhere to be seen. It wasn’t the best of meals that he had ever eaten, but it was nice and domestic. The toast was a bit burnt and the eggs a tad bit runny but he loved every mouthful of it. He even had seconds, which made her very happy. And he loved seeing her happy he would do anything top thp that look in her eyes.

“More?”

He shook his head and laughed wiping his mouth with the napkin. “I couldn’t eat another bite, love. That was a delicious meal.”

She blushed and removed his plate from before him. She knew she was a terrible cook but it was so sweet of him to say that. Domestic qualities were never her forte and she really avoided them at any cost before Severus came into her life. Now she couldn’t believe she was trying to do it, actually cooking for a man. Her mother would have a coronary if she could only see her now.

“Thank you.” She replied as she started the water in the sink.

He grinned and watched her as she sat about cleaning the breakfast dishes. It was obvious that she wasn’t used to doing such simple chores and he stoo, wa, walking over to her.

“Can I help?”

She shook her head and pointed to his coffee instead.

“There’s not enough room for one, let alone two. It’ll only take me a few minutes. Go drink your coffee and read the paper, love.”

He relented, knowing she was speaking the truth about there being no room for them both in that small kitchenette, although if he dared he could take his wand and the dishes would be done in no time. He looked over to his cloak where he knew his wand lay, discarded, waiting for him to pick it up.

He shook his head dismissing the idea and instead took up the cup of coffee and returned to the central room, sitting on the re-arranged sofa. The paper sat on the table and he opened it up scanning the headlines. It still amazed him that the pictures were immobile, frozen in time.

“I haven’t asked. How was you’re week?” She called out wanting to make conversation while she did the dishes. There was still so much about him that she didn’t know and wanted to learn.

“Same as always, one mishap after another. I, unfortunately, have this one child in my class…I’ve told you about him…” He chuckled as he returned to yesterday. “Neville… he has a way of, shall we say, doing the worst thing at the worst time. He destroyed yet another cauldron yesterday.”

She paused in mid-wipe and looked back at him. “Cauldron?”

He frowned at his slip and waved a hand of dismissal. “Meaning beakers…I just tend to call them cauldrons for my own amusement.” He really would love to tell her the truth about his life but for her own safety, he didn’t dare. If any of his killer acquaintances ever got wind of her, she would be dead before she knew anything was wrong. He had to protect her from them, from Voldemort’s supporters.

“Ah…double, double, toil and trouble…huh?” She grinned and wiped her hands off on a towel before picking up her own cup of coffee and taking a seat next to him. “He really that bad?”

“Worse.”

“He must have some good points.”

“I’m sure he does, but for the life of me, I can’t find any.”

She sighed and leaned against him resting her head on his shoulders. “I’m sure you will, someday. You never know, kids have the most amazing way of surprising you.”

“Perhaps, although, you have yet to meet, Mr. Longbottom.” He replied with a grin and kissed the top of her head.. No. Not to change the subject, we have all day together. I don’t have to be back until tomorrow, tell me… what is there to do around here?”

She thought about his question wondering about the change in topic but shrugged it off. A picture on the back of the newspaper in his hand gave her a great idea.

“Ever heard of the Tottenham Hotspurs?”

He frowned and shook his head.

“Uh, no…what it that?”

“Soccer…They are a local team, they’re playing in a few hours, want to go watch?”

“Sports? Don’t tell my you used to play as small as you are?”

She grinned and shook her head. “I was horrible at sports, that’s why I was your typical cheerleader back home. Do you play sports?”

“I was a fairly good Seeker for my Quidditch team when I was in school. I helped win the house cup several years in a row thanks to my talents.”

“Quidditch?”

He chuckled and replaced the paper back to the table pulling her into an embrace.

“Just a silly game where I come from.”

She wanted to know more about where he came from but she didn’t pHe wHe would tell her more when he was ready.

“I’d love to watch a game at some point, I bet it’s exciting.”

“It can be, like any sport.”

“How do you play? Is there a ball? Racquets? Nets?”

He looked down at her, it wouldn’t hurt to tell her a bit about it. “There are actually several different balls that are used…”

She listened, enraptured by the way he described the game…sometimes he would say something that would cause her to question something but then he would smooth over it and continue on.

Racing brooms?


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aprilgrey: I’m getting more up. I hope you are still enjoying it. Thank you for the reviews.

Corazon: I’m glad you are doing well, I hope it wasn’t a serious surgery. I am glad you are enjoying my story. I always look forward to more of yours.

Seraphina: My muses are working overtime with all these stories that keep popping into my head. I have a few others going as well. Working on them all. Hope you liked this latest chapter.


Hope you all liked this one…more will be posted within the next few days.

Red Writing Hood