The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

"Dolores Umbridge"

The next day, Madame Pomfrey returned from her holiday and Madeline was able to devote all her attention to her husband. She kept Severus in bed all day, administering healing and restorative potions, chanting purifying spells over his body, serving his meals on a tray, ensuring that he ate and drank, and lying next to him with her head on his chest as he rested.  His trip to answer the call of the Dark Lord had caused a significant setback in his recovery and he was weakened and exhausted, but Madeline was determined that he would be restored to health as soon as possible. Merlin the cat helped as well, curling up at Snape's feet and purring loudly, never wanting to leave his side.

By the next morning, Snape was strong enough to shower and move to his chair in the living room. Madeline continued to fuss over him and he allowed it, knowing that she needed to be close to him. He had almost died and it was her own skill that saved him. He knew she had been terrified and was still processing what had happened. He understood that his death was her greatest fear and it had almost become a reality. She had faced it with strength and courage in the moment of crisis, but now the realization of how close she had come to losing him was sinking in. She couldn't stop herself from hovering over him as if she were afraid he'd be taken away from her if he left her sight.  She fussed constantly- straightening his blankets, bringing him tea, feeding him, stroking his hair, ladling potions down his throat, and kissing him over and over.

He was surprised to find this did not annoy him at all. If he were honest with himself, he enjoyed the attention. Though it hurt him to see her anxiety and pain, he had never felt so cherished and his soul craved it. Craved her. She was the only person in existence who had ever cared if he lived or died and he loved her more than ever - more than he ever thought possible.

...

After a few days, Severus was strong enough to apparate and they packed some clothes, put Merlin in his basket, and went to their new home in Covent Garden where he completed his convalescence.

Once Snape had recovered, they spent the rest of the summer alternating between Hogwarts and Covent Garden.  When they were in Scotland, Madeline relieved Madame Pomfrey as matron of the hospital ward while Snape developed his lesson plans and delved into experimental potions work that he had no time for during the academic year. When they were in London, they explored their new neighborhood -  visiting the shops, the markets, the restaurants, and even had their neighbor, Mrs. Jennings, to tea. They also enjoyed simply staying home together - eating meals that Madeline prepared, reading together, talking, laughing, kissing, and making love in every room of the house.

Meanwhile, Snape was also dividing his time between his two masters, doing the bidding of the Dark Lord and Dumbledore in equal measure. Attending meetings of both the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix was exhausting, but he bore it all silently and without complaint. Madeline went with him to the order meetings, and was sometimes called to Little Hangleton when it pleased Voldemort.  He seemed to have taken a particular liking to her and it made Snape sick with fear. He hated it, and he hated himself even more for placing her in danger. He was terrified that the Dark Lord would take her away from him or hurt her to manipulate or punish him or - worst of all - take her for himself. His apprehension was not irrational. Voldemort had done it before, but as long as Severus remained in favor, he believed it would never come to that.

He was careful to conceal these concerns from Madeline. He didn't want to do anything that would add to her anxiety regarding interactions with the Dark Lord. She always faced it with her usual quiet strength and courage, smiling serenely at Voldemort, paying special attention to Nagini (which pleased the Dark Lord immensely), and behaving like the perfect, dutiful wife of a prominent Death Eater. Snape had taught her the skill of deception and the fact that she performed it so well made him feel a guilt that tore at his gut with a vengeance. His sweet, guileless girl was now a master of deception.

In spite of everything, they were still incredibly happy together. Madeline and Severus loved and adored and desired each other more than ever and they remained absolutely inseparable.

...

Finally the summer had ended. As the time for the school year to begin arrived, they settled in at Hogwarts.

Two weeks before the first day of school, the headmaster called his usual preparatory meeting to launch the start of the term, and all the staff and faculty gathered  in the great hall. He began with a warm welcome, then made an announcement that was met with much resistance.

"This year, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be Dolores Umbridge."

An immediate murmur of outrage rose amongst the group. McGonagall audibly gasped and Sprout sputtered, too angry to form words. Flitwick buried his face in his hands. Sinistra and Madam Pince whispered to each other in hushed but hostile tones. Snape closed his eyes and clenched his fists, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"Severus, who is Dolores Umbridge?" Madeline asked, laying her hand on his arm.

"She is a loathsome toad of a woman who works for the Ministry of Magic. She's a senior undersecretary and she serves on the Wizengamot. Fudge is obviously sending her here to spy on us all. The minister is still in complete denial that the Dark Lord has returned and he'll stop at nothing to discredit Dumbledore. He thinks Dumbledore wants his job, which is, of course, absurd. This does not bode well."

Dumbledore held up his hands for silence and the room quieted.

"I know. I know. I had no choice. Umbridge has been appointed by the ministry. I cannot overrule the minister. It is unavoidable. I agree that the intrusion is unwelcome, but I daresay that we, as a staff, should provide a very... special... Hogwarts welcome to our newest addition."

His blue eyes twinkled and a mischievous grin threatened to turn up the corners of his mouth.

Snape turned to McGonagall, who had narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.

"I know what you're thinking, Minnie, and you are quite a wicked witch," Snape whispered, smiling.

"You're with me, I presume?" McGonagall asked, gazing at him over her spectacles.

"I most certainly am," Snape replied with a smirk.

McGonagall looked to Dumbledore.

"A special welcome you say? Ah, yes, Headmaster. I believe we can handle that." A devious expression played across her features.

"Indeed," added Snape. "We shall make Professor Umbridge's introduction to academia most memorable."

"I thought you might," said Dumbledore chuckling softly, satisfied with the seed that he'd planted.

...

As the staff was busy preparing for the arrival of the students (and their newest teacher), news of dementors in Little Whinging reached the castle. Harry Potter and his cousin had been attacked by the creatures, and The Boy Who Lived had conjured a patronus charm to repel them. Now he would face a hearing before the Wizengamot for the use of underage magic. Dumbledore had immediately dispatched a contingent of the Order of the Phoenix to escort him safely to 12 Grimmauld Place where he would remain under their watchful eyes until his trial.  Dumbledore defended Harry Potter during the proceedings, and all charges had been dropped.

Snape felt this was an inauspicious start to school year and was filled with a sense of dread.  Dementors in a muggle neighborhood, Potter on trial, and Umbridge joining the staff? This could not be good. What fresh hell would unfold next?

They were soon to find out.

...