The Sleepers Awake

"Severus, if you don't mind my saying so it is rather difficult to take you seriously in that...that..." she turned to Erszhebet, "What do you call it dear?" she asked gesturing at the silky pink flowery short robe.

"A kimono - it's, it's Japanese," said Erszhebet hiding her laughter behind her hands.

"Right - it is difficult to take you seriously in that kimono," said Professor McGonagall. She was enjoying getting one over on Professor Snape for a change.

Severus looked murderous.

"Calm down Severus; you must really learn to laugh at yourself you know," said Minerva.

"Ladies why don't you make yourselves comfortable downstairs in the sun room off the kitchen while we get dressed? We haven't eaten since last night. I can make us something - and we can all talk then. Is that alright?" suggested Erszhebet rescuing her lover. "You are welcome to whatever you like in the meantime." Erszhebet explained about the refrigerator and its contents; she did not know whether or not they had Fridges at Hogwarts.

"That would be fine my dear; I look forward to it," said Professor McGonagall as she beamed at Severus.

"And um, feel free to look around," said Erszhebet giving the two women a sly wink.

"Or don't," suggested Severus coolly, "Gods knows what the two of you would get up to next."

The two women left the room, jabbering excitedly about its contents.

"I think we will be ok," said Erszhebet, smiling as she watched the retreating figures.

"There is no reason why we should not be," said Severus. "I think they like you - very much so," he said as he reached out and stroked her hair.

"Really? Why is that?" Erszhebet asked.

"Because I love you," replied Severus as he pulled her in his arms and kissed her. "And because they love your clothes," he said with a chuckle his eyes twinkling. "And those damnable shoes."

"They want you to be happy, Severus, and to have a good life. They care about you a lot. You are really lucky to have them," said Erszhebet softly. "It must be nice to have people in your life that care about you so much and look after you."

"How do you know?" he asked looking at her.

"Because they are here," she said.

[[[]]]

Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey looked up from their vantage point in the sun room as Severus and Erszhebet made their way into expansive kitchen. They did make a striking couple.

"Oh my, don't you look lovely!" exclaimed Poppy as she admired Erszhebet in her ensemble.

Erszhebet wore a raspberry-coloured outfit reminiscent of India; a long ankle length linen skirt that split up to the thigh on both sides and a little top with short puffed sleeves and a scooped bodice that stopped above her navel. It had ornate designs in silver and gold threading with delicate beads and was trimmed in lace.

The rose quartz piercing of silver sparkled in Erszhebets navel. She wore simple silver amethyst earrings and a matching cuff. Her small feet were bare, but she had a delicate silver anklet around her left ankle. Erszhebets dark hair was loose and shimmered in the light of the room and she had applied just a hint of make-up to accent her large eyes and rather sensuous mouth. All in all she was enchanting as the styling accentuated her curves and golden skin.

Erszhebet blushed. She wanted to make a good impression on her lovers' friends; sensing that they were very important to him despite his earlier machinations in the dressing room.

"Minerva, Poppy," said Severus, "this is Erszhebet - or Severina as tends to be my habit." He was nervous and hoped he hid it well. He had one arm around Erszhebets waist and gestured with the other.

"'Rina; this mad hatter clotheshorse is Madame Poppy Pomfrey, Mediwitch extraordinaire at Hogwarts," said Severus with a straight face.

Erszhebet leaned over and gave Poppy three bisous, the customary French greeting. "Enchante Madame," she said quietly.

Madame Pomfrey giggled in spite of herself. "Call me Poppy - dispense with the formality please," she said.

"And the maniac with the shoe fetish is Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and the Head of Gryffindor House at Hogwarts," Severus continued.

Professor McGonagall stood and embraced Erszhebet, who gave her three bisous and returned Minerva's hug. "Enchante Madame," she said shyly turning beet red.

"Don't worry," said Minerva quietly as she took Erszhebets hands in hers and patted them. "We are all friends here."

Erszhebet wiped away the tears which started to fall from nervousness "Thank you," she said humbly her voice cracking just a bit.

"Minerva can you kindly see fit to not make the love of my life cry," sneered Severus after he kissed Erszhebet on the forehead in relief and held her close.

"I will do my best, Severus," said Professor McGonagall wryly trying not smile. It pleased her to hear Severus say that; the youngsters had obviously sorted things out.

"Let me get things situated; excuse me ladies," said Erszhebet.

"Minerva and Poppy," said Poppy.

"Pardonnez-moi; Minerva and Poppy," said Erszhebet tears welling up in her eyes again as she retreated to the kitchen.

Severus lit candles around the sun room, which was actually a large glass enclosed slate terrace - it was very similar to the Conservatories the English were used to. The sun was beginning to set and the effect was stunning with the red, raspberry and gold tones of the sky. It was an impressive sight looking over the skyline of Manhattan reflected in it from high up. The conservatory was in a Victorian design and there were plants scattered amongst the soft furnishings.

"Great girl, you got there Severus - don't blow it!" said Poppy loudly.

"I admire your subtlety as always Poppy," snorted Severus as he tried not to smile at the woman's support. "About as subtle as a dung bomb."

"Ahh, go on; you know you like it, Severus," said Poppy.

"If you two don't mind, I will take my leave and help with our supper," said Severus.

Minerva and Poppy looked at each other in shock.

"Get him!" exclaimed Poppy as Severus went to help Erszhebet.

It was just a well he did; Erszhebets hands were shaking.

Severus slid his arms around her waist from behind and pulled her close. "If I break your heart I will be in trouble," he said giving her a kiss. He had come in mainly because he did not want Erszhebet to feel that she was alone.

"You break my heart and you won't be alive to know trouble," said Erszhebet as she leaned into his embrace smiling in spite of herself.

"Oooh is that a threat my lady," whispered Severus silkily in her ear just before he kissed her neck.

"It's a promise," she whispered back. "Now get off me, we have company."

"Only if you swear to make it up to me later," growled Severus.

"I swear by all that is holy and good that I will bump and grind you into next week," said Erszhebet.

"Saucy little minx," said Severus.

"Just as you like it lover," purred Erszhebet.

"Those two are a bad influence on you," said Severus with mock disapproval.

"She is really something else; definitely knows how to handle him no doubt about that," Professor McGonagall thought to herself as she watched the couple talking softly to each other as they pulled out dinnerware, cutlery and serving dishes. "I want some answers and I will not settle for less than the truth from Albus no matter what it takes," she thought with the resolve that anyone who knew her would have been right to expect.

Minerva only half-listened to Poppy's chatter. She could not take her eyes off of Severus and Severina. If what she believed was true then that young woman was going to need all the love and support Severus could give her as would Minerva herself from Albus - if she could forgive him. Forgiveness would not come easy - Albus would have overstepped the mark this time if her fears were true.

With what Minerva McGonagall had to tell Severus anyway; difficult times were ahead for them all yet again. But at least Severus and Severina would have each other. It was the only thought which consoled her.