The Potion Master's Apprentice (A Severus Snape love story)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

The weary looking waitress re-tied her stained white apron as she waited for tell-tale steam to pour from the spout of the kettle. An echoing screaming sound echoed from the muggle appliance as she tugged it from its holder and poured the scolding liquid into two chipped mugs.

She slammed them roughly onto the counter top as Florence hastily handed her some pound coins and nodded her thanks. Picking the cups up she turned round and bumped into a group of men around her age. The ringleader, of sorts, looked her up and down as she muttered an apology before sniggering loudly and swaggering over to a table. Florence frowned slightly as she regained her composure - what just happened?

A large sigh escaped her lips as she gripped the coffees tighter in her hands and negotiated her way over to the table nearest to the window overlooking the busy high-street. It happened to be two away from the rowdy bunch of men who were now laughing raucously.

Severus glanced up from the small bundle beside him and smiled gently as Florence placed the coffees onto the table and dragged the chair noisily away from the table. Sitting down opposite him, she grinned as she saw him folding the blanket over the gurgling girl lying in the travel cot beside him.

On his other side was an identical travel cot containing a mound of writhing blue blankets. Romulus was only distinguishable from his sister by the black obsidian eyes that peered through the layers of clothes he was swamped in. Sophia had glittering green eyes - just like her mother.

"Thanks." He muttered, wrapping his hands around the steaming mug in an attempt to warm up his chilling fingers. Florence placed her hands gently on top of his and he looked grateful of the extra comfort.

"You're always so cold." She murmured and he smirked.

"It's a good thing that I have you to warm me up then." He replied and she laughed softly, removing one of her hands to stroke both of her children's cheeks in turn. Sophia was snuffling in her sleep, cloaked entirely in an outfit of dark purple - Florence couldn't stand the colour pink. Romulus, meanwhile, was wriggling beneath the covers, eyes wide and blinking as he saw a familiar face hovering over his cot.

"Hello Sweetheart." Florence grinned, reaching in her hand to move the covers more securly over him. He grabbed her finger and attempted to pull it into his mouth but she moved away before he could drool all over it. Instead, she lifted the small stuffed wolf from beneath the blankets - courtesy of Remus.

She fondled the fluffy material fondly before dropping it accidentally to the floor - the surly waitress had just gone past and nudged her chair. Reaching down to pick it up from the ground, Florence felt the very tips of her ears and pretty much every part of her body go red as the men from the table facing hers wolf whistled. She'd just given them a perfect view down their top.

Severus had noticed. Florence pulled quickly upright, glowing a deep crimson withembarrassment and disgust before instantly paling at her husband's seething expression. She could see his wand arm plunged deep inside his cloak and knew that his fingers were curled around the handle of his wand. Reaching out, she placed a hand on his knee beneath the table and coaxed him to look at her.

"Don't Severus." She whispered harshly, giving him a warning look as his eyes narrowed. The leader of the lewd group saw Florence's hand on Severus' knee and began to roar with laughter.

"Why don't you give me some of that darlin'?" He grinned, tongue practically hanging out of his mouth as his friends chortled hysterically.

"What did you just say?" Severus had leapt from his chair and was now leering over the man who merely grinned stupidly at him. The harsh tone of the black haired man's voice seemed to have no affect on him.

"You're little girlfriend over there can do so much better." He leant around Severus and winked at a pale, shaking Florence before shouting. "See me later and I'll show you." 

"You'll do no such thing!" Severus snarled, gripping the man roughly by the throat and throwing him backwards against his chair, causing his head to smash against the wall. He clearly hadn't expected him to be so strong.

"Chill out mate! It was only a joke-"

"Don't call me mate." Severus spat, face inches from colliding with his. "Not after you insulted my wife like that."

"I didn't insult her! It was a compliment!" The man wished he hadn't said that as in a matter of seconds his windpipe was crushed even tighter.

"Shut up." His eyes had become murderous and the man grew increasingly more scared - just what was this maniac going to do to him?

"Sev? Severus, I think he's learnt his lesson." Florence placed a hand on his arm and prised his fingers away from the other man's neck. He smiled gratefully at her, a gesture she did not return. Instead, she led him back to their table and pushed him into his seat.

"I'm sorry... It's just that he-"

"I know." Florence interjected, seeing the men watching her out of the corner of her eye. She leantinto Severus' lap so that she could feel the taught thigh muscles beneath her legs and wrapped her arms around his neck, gracing his lips with a tender, lingering kiss. "Thank you." She smirked at his bemused expression.

Florence was at the door, Romulus' carry-cot balancing from one arm as she leant against the doorframe waiting for Severus who had decided to give the man one last talking-to.

"Are you ready yet?" She moaned and he rolled her eyes at her.

"What does it look like?" He gestured to the sleeping baby in the cradle hanging from his arm and walked through the open doorway, snickering when Florence stuck her tongue out at him.

They stepped out into the frost-bitten air that lingered with the expectancy of a fast approaching spring. The dead trees that had looked so skeletal in the winter were beginning to sprout small buds and the tips of green leaves were just visible. Florence pulled her travelling cloak tighter around her thin body before readjusting the blankets over her son who was now sleeping peacefully.

Severus guided her round the back of the cafe before grabbing her elbow. With one swift turn they had disappeared with a loud popping sound, to reappear outside the gates of Hogwarts.

*~*~*~*~*

Florence was nudged awake and she shifted, groaning, in the armchair - adjusting the sleeping child in her arms. Severus was sitting curled up beside her, hand draped over the chair as he checked on the baby nestled in the small crib beside him.

"Good morning sleepy head." He purred and her eyes settled on his.

"What time is it?" She said groggily and he checked the ticking clock on the mantelpiece.

"Quater to Midnight." He replied and she yawned, eyes flickering open and closed as she fought sleep.

"We need to - to - to get them to bed." She said through shuddering yawns. Severus took a snoring Sophia from her arms gently, allowing her to kiss her daughter gently on the head before he took her away. When he came back Florence had fallen asleep. He smiled at her peaceful features and removed the cloak from his shoulders before placing it gently over her still form.

"Good night Florence." He pressed a kiss on her forehead as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Turning to leave with Romulus clutched in his arms he could have sworn he heard her mutter.

"Good night Severus." He clicked out the lights with a soft smile.