The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

The Unbreakable Vow

It was one o'clock in the morning. Madeline was reading in bed when she heard Severus coming in the front door. She leapt up and ran down the stairs to him, wearing only a very thin, short, white cotton nightgown. When she reached him, he lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms circling his neck. He hid his face in her shoulder and held her for a long moment, then his mouth found hers and he kissed her.

"You've been drinking," she whispered.

"Yes. Where's Wormtail?"

"In his room."

"Good." He kissed her again, this time more ardently, and his tongue collided with hers as his fingers dug through the fabric of her gown into the flesh of her bottom.

He shifted her weight in his arms and pressed his forehead to hers, closing his eyes.

"Severus, what is it?" she asked, still breathless from his kiss. "What's happened?"

"Not here," he whispered.

Snape carried his wife up the stairs and into his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them. He sat her down gently on the bed, then drew his wand from his sleeve.

"Muffliato," he cast.

"Severus. Please. Tell me what's going on."

He sighed and sat next to her on the bed. "I don't want to tell you this, my darling."

She got up to stand between his legs and unclasped his cloak for him. "You can tell me anything. You know that."

He let her remove his cloak and his cravat and unbutton his greatcoat and shirt. He reached for her then, hugging her tightly with his arms around her waist and his face in her chest. She pulled him closer, cradling his head in her hands. She did not press him to speak, waiting patiently until he was ready.

After a long moment, he pulled away, his hands still resting at her hips.

"Madeline, what I am about to tell you is going to be very painful for you to hear. Are you certain you want to know?"

"Yes," she replied. "I'm certain. Just tell me."

"Dumbledore has asked me to kill him." He said it quietly, his deep voice much steadier than he thought it would be.

"What?" She stepped back, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Severus, no! You can't! Why? Why would he ask such a thing?"

He closed his eyes. "Please don't pull away from me. Please, Madeline. I need you more than ever. I know it is utter weakness, but I am begging you not to deny me."

She immediately embraced him again. "Oh, Severus. No. I'm so sorry, my love. I didn't mean to pull away from you. I was just so shocked..."

"Tell me you love me."

"Of course I do. I love you, Severus. Forever."

"I'm so sorry, Madeline. I'm so sorry that I've made your life so complicated. You deserve so much better. I've brought you nothing but pain..."

"Shhh," she soothed him, holding him tighter. "That's not true. You make me happier than I ever dreamed. I wouldn't trade my life with you for anything. You know that. You must never believe anything else."

She kissed his lips. "Now please. Tell me why the headmaster has asked you kill him."

Snape took a deep breath to steady himself, then told her everything that had transpired that night. He spared no detail.

"You're not doing it, Severus. You will not do this. There must be an alternative."

"No, Madeline. It's the only way," he sighed tiredly, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his long, hooked nose. "Draco's soul will remain intact, Dumbledore will not suffer unduly, and the Dark Lord will trust me implicitly."