The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

"I'm Not a Child, Severus"

Snape was still seething after his encounter with Dumbledore. He took a few moments to collect himself and reign in his temper, then made his way back to the hospital wing. If he was going to function at all he would have to rid himself of this headache.

When he entered, he saw Madeline leaning over a second year Ravenclaw student named Geoffrey Collins who had not gone home for the summer holiday. He had apparently injured his arm. Snape watched as Madeline waved her wand over it and then gave him a potion to drink. She smiled and talked to him softly as she wrapped his arm in a bandage. Madam Pomfrey stood behind her, watching approvingly.

The boy smiled at her and she smoothed his hair out of his face. She leaned down and whispered something to him and he laughed before sliding down off the hospital cot.

"Thanks, Maddie."

"You're welcome, Geoffrey. And come back tomorrow so I can check your arm and change the bandage. And be more careful next time, alright?"

"I will. See you tomorrow! Bye!"

The boy almost ran into Snape who towered over him with a stony expression.

"Mr. Collins. You want to take care. You've already injured yourself once today." Snape drawled in his iciest tone.

"Yes, sir. Sorry Professor." The boy, clearly terrified, ran from the ward.

"Severus, was that necessary? No need to frighten the poor child." Madeline tried to suppress her grin and Madam Pomfrey chuckled.

"I didn't..."

She laughed. "It's alright. I'm just teasing you. You can't really help it, I suppose. What brings you? Are you alright?"

"I hate to ask, but..."

"You have a headache, don't you?"

He nodded.

"I was afraid of that. Here. Sit."

He sat on the cot that Geoffrey had just vacated and Madeline stood between his legs. She smoothed his hair away from his face and then lay her hands on his head, closed her eyes and concentrated.

He exhaled as the now familiar warmth spread through him and the pain left his body.

She kissed his forehead and he took her hands in his.

"Thank you, my love," he whispered.

"Better?"

"Better," he said, smiling tiredly at his wife.

"Good."

"I should leave you to it." He rose and turned to Madam Pomfrey. "My apologies, Poppy, but these headaches can be rather debilitating and Madeline's touch is more effective than any draught I can brew."

"No apology needed, Severus."

He smiled and touched Madeline's cheek. "I love you."

"And I love you."

He turned and went back to the dungeons to await Lucius's reply.

...

When Madeline arrived home, Lucius and Severus were sitting by the fire, drinks in hand.

They both rose to greet her.

"Hello, Kitten," said Lucius, more subdued than usual.

"Hello, Lucius. I'm so glad to see you." She kissed his cheek.

She turned to Severus. He kissed her lips then pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Let me get changed. I can't stand for Lucius to see me in this uniform."