The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

"You're All I Need, Severus"

Madeline pulled a baking sheet full of tartlets out of the oven and sat it on top of the stove to cool.

Molly Weasley was stacking scones on a platter. She had already prepared a bowl of clotted cream to accompany them, and a tray of cucumber sandwiches.

Madeline used her wand to set the table for tea. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were already seated there, chatting as the women worked.

The doorbell rang and Mrs. Black's portrait immediately set about her usual screaming in response.

"That'll be Severus, I think," said Madeline, wiping her hands on a dish towel.

"I'll get it," said Lupin, rising from the table.

"Thank you, Remus," she replied.

Molly gave Sirius a severe look. "You behave."

"I will if he will," said Sirius with a wry expression on his handsome face.

After a brief moment, Severus entered the kitchen. Lupin followed and returned to his seat at the table beside Sirius.

Madeline smiled when she saw her husband and she went to him.

"Hello, darling," he said in his silkiest voice.

She stood on tiptoes and pecked him on the cheek, but he took her chin and turned her face to kiss her mouth possessively. His tongue parted her lips and delved into her mouth, marking her as his in an obvious show of dominance.  She made the little sound he loved so much and wrapped her arms around his waist, yielding to him. He was pleased that she didn't resist him in front of his intended audience.

Snape knew it was petty and childish, but he could not have possibly cared less. He finally had the advantage, finally had something the Marauders did not. A beautiful wife. Love. Acceptance.

All those years that they tortured him, hexed him, cursed him, humiliated him, called him names, made him feel weak and small, had not escaped his memory. The tables had turned. Now Snape was the one with the power. He was the one with the girl. He was the one with the upper hand. He was the one to be envied, and he would not miss this opportunity to make certain that they knew it.

He broke their kiss and looked down at her with a very self-satisfied smirk on his face. He traced her lower lip with his thumb and she kissed it.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you," he whispered back, tracing a line with his finger from her jaw down her neck.

Sirius cleared his throat and Snape turned on him.

"Problem, Black?" he snarled.

Sirius opened his mouth to speak, but Madeline interrupted.

"Alright, Severus. Sirius and I have had a little talk and he's promised to be cordial if you can do the same. I expect you both to act like adults."

"Him? Act like an adult? Not bloody likely." Snape's lip curled derisively.

"Me? Remus and I are the ones with canine tendencies, but here you are marking your territory like a dog." Sirius snapped.

"Look, you steaming pile of..." Snape started.

"Alright!" yelled Molly. "That's quite enough from the both of you. There are children in the house."

"Please Severus. Promise you'll be civil. For me." Madeline tucked his hair behind his ear, looking up at him imploringly.

"What about him?" Snape tilted his head toward Sirius."