The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

12 Grimmauld Place

Madeline found herself standing on a sidewalk between number eleven and number thirteen Grimmauld Place and holding tightly to her husband's hand.

"Alright, darling?" Snape asked.

She nodded.

"Remember. Most of these people hate me. Don't be bothered by it. I'm certainly not," he stated flatly.

"Oh, Severus..." Her heart broke for him. If only they knew him like she did.

"Don't concern yourself, love. It doesn't bear thinking about. Now, come along."

They stepped forward and number twelve revealed itself, seeming to grow between number eleven and number thirteen.

They walked up the stairs and Snape rang the bell. They immediately heard an unholy screeching - a woman's voice - and then the door was opened by Remus Lupin. He stepped aside and led them into the entrance hall.

He nodded to Snape. "Good evening, Severus."

"Lupin," Snape responded, his lips tight. "What the hell is that noise?"

"It's Mrs. Black's portrait. She's a bit disturbed by all this coming and going."

Snape snorted derisively.

Lupin turned to Madeline. "Hello, Maddie," he said softly, bending to kiss her cheek.

"I'm so glad to see you, Professor," she said, hugging him warmly. "You're looking well."

Snape cleared his throat and Lupin pulled away, giving her a crooked little grin.

"Thank you, Maddie. You look beautiful as always. And you must call me Remus."

"Remus, then." She smiled at him.

Snape rolled his eyes. "Are we to stand in the entrance hall all bloody night?"

"Alright, Severus," Lupin said calmly. "You can hang your cloaks here." He gestured to a row of hooks on the wall.

Snape took Madeline's cloak and hung it up before removing his own, then possessively took her hand in his. She kissed his cheek to reassure him that she was all his, and his mouth quirked up in a self satisfied half smile.

"The others are in the kitchen," said Lupin and led them down the hall.

The house was incredibly dirty, obviously having been neglected for quite some time. Madeline couldn't help but think how creepy it was.

When they entered the kitchen, she saw several familiar faces already seated around the table: Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill Weasley, Hagrid, and several others she didn't recognize. They spotted McGonagall, and Snape steered Madeline to the two empty seats next to her. He pulled out a chair for Madeline and then sat between her and McGonagall. Lupin sat on Madeline's right. She felt Snape's hand on her thigh and she covered it with her own, lightly stroking it with her thumb.

"Who's this, then?" Sirius Black said as he entered the kitchen and leaned lazily against the doorframe. He was effortlessly handsome with his long, dark, curly hair. His blue eyes glittered mischievously as he looked Madeline over.

"Sirius, this is Madeline," Lupin said softly.

"Madeline. Ah! I remember you. The school nurse! You look different...out of your uniform," he drawled flirtatiously.

"That's my wife, Black. I'll thank you to watch your tongue," Snape growled through gritted teeth, his black eyes narrowed dangerously.

"This is your wife?" Sirius was incredulous as he openly stared at Madeline. "I don't believe it. Does he have you under the imperius curse, love?"