Madness Most Discreet

Chapter Six

The rest of the summer went by in a blur as they were forced to stay at the house. Snape discovered so many different things about Luna that he didn't know before. She was an endless mystery and he loved her for it.

On her 17th birthday, Snape taught her how to Apparate and snuck her into Muggle London. They enjoyed a nice dinner at a small cafe where a man read love poems all night long. And after the dinner, he took her to a Muggle hotel that held a balcony that over looked London and he made love to her all night.

Their summer together came to an end three days before school started. Since he was a professor, Snape had to go back early so he asked Tonks to stay with Luna until it was time for her to come back.

On the night he left, it was hot and sticky and he found her out in the meadow, chasing lightning bugs. "Luna," he said as he stepped out, "I have to go now..."

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Luna would always think of that summer as one of the best times in her life. She and Severus had talked about so many different things, she felt he knew her like no other. Since they weren't able to explore the area, they explored each other. Mind and body. Luna'd had no idea how many different ways two people could make love.

Cordelia grew to become a big part of their lives. It was like a family. The only times Luna really regretted having her in their house was the few when she would jump on one of them while they were in bed together. Cordelia seemed to learn her lesson though, the time Severus unknowingly kicked her off the bed in a moment of passion. She avoided the bedroom after that.

As the summer passed and September approached, Luna began to feel nervous about returning to school. She didn't know how she'd be able to stand living apart. He would be leaving her early, to prepare for the students.

On the night he left, it was hot and sticky and he found her out in the meadow, chasing lightning bugs. "Luna," he said as he stepped out, "I have to go now..."

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Her hair was sticking to her face, as she was flushed and sweaty. "Are you sure I can't come with you?"

Snape smiled over at her as she looked at him. Her cheeks were flushed and the t-shirt she was wearing was sticking to her body. He growled to himself, thinking about how he wanted to take her to bed at that moment.

He stepped toward her and pushed the hair out of her face and frowned. "I'm afraid you can't love but it's only for three days," he whispered.

Luna stepped forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. "All right then. I suppose we'll have to get used to it...considering, when we're at school we won't be able to be togther." She frowned, thinking of spending the whole school year in the Ravenclaw dormitories instead of his bed.

"It'll work out love," he said as he pulled her against his body. "It's only three days... they will go by fast... I promise."

He heard Tonks trip out of the house and he turned to look at her. "May we have a couple more minutes alone?" he asked her. Tonks smiled and went back inside.

Snape didn't want to let Luna go. They had found something magicial there that summer. "I love you Luna," he whispered.

"Oh Sev, I love you too." She kissed him passionately but broke it off too soon.

"Since Dumbledore and the order and even my father know about us, can we be open at school?"

Snape wanted the kiss to continue and frowned when she stopped. "I'm sorry but the students can't know about us. People will think I'm favouring you but we'll get through it," he said as he leaned down and kissed her again, "I have to go now and please don't cry. I don't think I'll be able to leave if you do."

Luna tried to smile, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew she'd cry, but felt she could wait until he left.

"Go on then," she whispered, "I'll see you in a few days." She watched him Disapparate after a final kiss and turned back to the house.

Finding Cordelia and Tonks playing together, she smiled pitifully and went to the master bedroom, laid on her bed, their bed, and cried.

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Snape cursed himself. He was sure that three little days would go by fast but it hadn't. Sure, there were lesson plans to make and the Slytherin house to get ready but everything reminded him of her.

After three days of hard work, it was finally time for the students to arrive. He took his usual spot beside Dumbledore and almost hit him when he said that he missed Luna too.

He felt himself get butterflies in his stomach when the door opened and the students started to file in. And he softly smiled as Luna walked in and sat with her Ravenclaw schoolmates.

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Luna smiled as she entered the Great Hall. She loved Hogwarts, even though returning meant leaving Glastonbury. She looked up at the teacher's table and shared a smile and wink with Severus. She felt much better just seeing him, and tried to listen and participate in the conversations around her. Seeing Ginny Weasley at the Gryffindor table, she waved.

After the sorting hat ceremony and Welcoming Feast, Snape made sure the new Slytherin students were properly taken care of. He had watched Luna most of the time, while Dumbledore kept winking at him.

"I need a stiff drink," he muttered after a First Year threw up on his shoes.

He went to his chambers and cleaned himself up before pouring a glass of wine. He picked up his lesson plans and looked them over when there was a soft knock on his door.

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Luna snuck out of the Ravenclaw common room and dwon to the dungeons. She had to see him, three days was too long without a kiss or an embrace. She kocked softly on his door, and grinned widely when he answered.

"Hello lover," she breathed, before practically jumping on him, kissing him as if her life depended on it.

"Hello my love," he said as he picked her up and took her to his bed. He wanted to be with her at that moment but he knew he couldn't. There were strict curfews in place and he didn't want to get her in trouble.

"I've missed you," he said as he sat up and pulled her up with him, "What did you do after I left? Did Tonks and you have fun?"

Laughing, she replied, "No, I wouldn't call it fun. It was really similar to the beginning of the summer, but with more whinging than moping this time." She leaned forward to kiss his ear, slowly making her way to his neck and shoulders. "Can I stay here tonight?"

Snape moaned at her kiss but had to pull away. "I'm sorry but you can't. Let things settle down a bit before you start breaking rules," he said as he kissed her. "How's the cat?"

Luna sighed and nodded, she knew he would say that, but had to ask anyway.

"Cordelia is having a wonderful time, she met a few new cats and loves that I'm sleeping alone these days."

They talked for a bit longer, but she needed to leave before curfew. None of the non-Order professors knew of their relationship, and they had decided to keep it that way. Parting at the doorway for one last kiss, Luna left for her own bedroom.

Things continued on in that stale way throughout the first few weeks of school. There were quick kisses and chats here and there, but he was busy with his classes, and she was studying for her NEWTs. She missed him terribly, even though she saw him every day.

Chapter 7

A full month had passed since school had begun. The DADA job became open again and, once again, Snape was over looked. He tried not to let it bother him but it did and to top it off, a group of dementors had tried to break into the school. To put it mildly, he was not having a good day.

When he walked into his Seventh Year Double Potions class, Ginny Weasley was busy giggling about something and it irritated him. He tried to keep his emotions in check but he couldn't.

"Miss Weasley!" he roared as he slammed a book down, "My classroom is not a place for gossip. Get out!"

After Ginny left, he looked around the room, daring anyone else to speak.

Luna watched as her cranky boyfriend threw her friend out of the class. Unfortunately, something caught in her throat, and she started coughing loudly right after Ginny left the room.

Snape leveled his gaze at Luna and snorted. If she thought she was being cute, it wasn't working. He was so angry that it didn't matter that he was in love with her.

"Miss Lovegood!" he hissed. "This isn't a joke but if you want to join your little friend then get the hell out!"

Luna managed to raise her eyebrows whilst choking. Nice he shows concern, she said to herself as she got up from the table.

"Fine, cough, terribly sorry my cough choking disturbs you." She left the room and went off to find Ginny, severely angry.

Snape sighed to himself. He loved her to death but sometimes she was a bit over dramatic.

After class, which was the last of the day, he went back to his chambers to cool down. He was still very upset about being passed up again.

Maybe breaking something will help

He picked up an ugly vase that one of his students had given him and flung it at the wall. It did help and soon half of the glassware in his chambers was broken.

Luna stomped her way to his chambers after class was over, ready to tell him off.

Opening the door without knocking, she had to duck when he threw a glass in her direction.

"SEVERUS SNAPE! Calm down!" She slammed the door shut and gingerly stepped over the broken glass on the floor.

"What the bloody hell is wrong with you today?"

Snape sneered at her and threw another glass. "Did you knock? I don't recall hearing you knock!," he yelled as he looked for something else to throw. When he couldn't find anything made of glass, he picked up a book and flung it.

"I'm sick of it Luna," he said as he looked around for another book, "I've been at this school for almost 20 years and I've proven myself to Dumbledore and the lot! But when the Defense Against The Dark Arts job opens up, I get over looked again! They only wanted me here as a spy."

Snape picked up a potions book and threw it. "And to top it off, dementors tried to get into the school this morning. I'm so bloody tired of it all! I think I'm going to resign," he said as he smiled.

"OK, first of all, STOP BLOODY THROWING THINGS!" Luna walked to Severus and grabbed his arms. She walked him to his bed and sat him down.

"I don't know why you don't get the job, but, are you sure it's what you really want? You seem so passionate about potions. Just think of the speech you give first year! 'No foolish wand waving', I always knew you wanted the Defense job, but never really understood why. You're brilliant at potions, why give that up?" Seeing he didn't look convinced, she continued, "Think about it at least, ok?"

She suddenly stood up and shivered, "D-did you say Dementors!?"

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Sammy Goyle needed help with his potions essay the head of his house had assigned. The second year student wasn't the brightest, but he worked hard, unlike his older brother, and wanted to at least pass. He looked for Professor Snape after classes that day, first in his classroom, then his office. He wasn't in either, so he decided to try his chambers.

Just as he was approaching, he saw a girl with long blond hair storm into the room, without knocking.

"SEVERUS SNAPE! Calm down!" was all he heard before the door was slammed shut.

Disappointed that he couldn't see his professor, Sammy turned and went back to the Slytherin common room. About ten minutes later, sitting on a leather sofa near the fireplace, it occured to him that it was odd a student would yell at a teacher like that. Another five, and he recalled seeing a Ravenclaw badge on the girl's robes. Fifteen minutes after that he told his friend that Snape had a Ravenclaw lover.

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Snape took a deep breath and looked around his chambers. He felt like a fool for letting his emotions get the best of him. After taking another calming breath, he looked over at Luna and frowned.

"I've wanted the Defense job since I started here. I know I'm good at potions but I feel that I could be a better Defense professor," he said as he slowly opened his palm and looked at the gash he'd received from his tanturm.

Snape carefully leaned over and placed a small kiss on Luna's forehead. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he whispered. "And yes, there were Dementors here this morning. They didn't make it past the gate but they tried."

Luna took his large, bleeding hand in her small ones, and cast a basic healing charm. "It's ok, Sev, obviously not a great way to vent, but it happens."

She busied herself picking up various unbroken items while he charmed away the broken shards of glass.

"I don't understand...why doesn't Dumbledore give you the postion? Obviously he trusts you. Could it be that he thinks you're the best he can get for potions, and doesn't want to lose you? I can't think of any other reason why."

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The Slytherin common room was buzzing with the information Sammy gave them. Most students were offended and angry. How could their Head of House, a Death Eater, be shagging a Ravenclaw student!?

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Snape, satisifed that all the glass had been picked up, sat down on his couch. "He's afraid that teaching about Dark Arts will trigger something in me. I guess he thinks I'll show up to class wearing a Death Eater's mask," he dryly laughed but stopped. "Are you all right? You were coughing a lot in class. You aren't getting sick are you?"

He suddenly blushed, embarassed that he'd kick her out of class.

"No, I'm not getting sick," Luna replied. "I was really amazed at the concern you showed in class. Felt really silly when the Headmaster saw me and knew I was kicked out of your class! After seeing your rooms though, I'm glad I was just kicked out, instead of getting something thrown at me!" She wasn't angry any more, and said it with a laugh.

"I've got to get back, it's almost dinner. I'll see you in the Great Hall?"

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After a lot of discussion with his fellow Slytherins, Sammy decided to owl his father.

Father,

I just saw something really nasty! Snape has a girl friend and shes a ravenclaw! Can you beleive it? I dont no whats going on with him. Hes not giving us slyterins specail treetment anymore! He even said I have bad spelling last week! Can you talk to him or something?

your son,

Sammy

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"I'm going to skip dinner tonight. I have some exams to mark and I'm just not feeling up to having to face the new Defense professor," he sighed, "I'll be here if you want to stop by later." He really didn't feel like facing any of them and decided that the best place for him at the moment was his chambers.

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Mr. Goyle was in the middle of eating his fourth helping of desert when his son's owl flew in. He growled and threw his fork down when the owl landed before him. Mr. Goyle pulled the letter off and read it, a smile playing on his face.

He went to his study and wrote a quick letter back.

Samuel -

Thank you son for bringing this piece of information to my attention. Now I must ask a favor of you and your Slytherin friends; find out who the girl is. If you can find out for me, my boss and friends will be very pleased!

And if Snape gives you anymore trouble, don't hesitate to owl me.

Regards,

Your Father

After the owl was gone, Mr. Goyle smiled again. If what his son said was true, the Dark Lord will be quite pleased.

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When dinner was through, Luna decided to visit Severus again. He was in such a foul mood, she thought he would need some company - whether he wanted it or not.

She didn't notice the eyes peaking out at her as she walked past a suit of armour, nor the heavy breathing coming from behind a tapestry.

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Father,

We were so clever! We hided in the halls and waited for her to come back and she did! You wont beleive it! Its loony lovegood!!!!!!

Sammy

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Grading the exams had put Snape in an even worse mood! He couldn't believe how idiotic some of his students were. Out of twenty exams, only one Fourth Year had passed.

"Maybe I'm just a bad teacher," he sighed as he put the exams away. He looked around his chambers and pondered throwing something again since it had made him feel better before. He was about to chuck a book across the room when Luna stepped inside.

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Mr. Goyle was very pleased when he received the owl back from his son. After reading it, he put his cloak on and left the house. He was almost giddy with the information he had and how his Dark Lord was going to be pleased with him.

"Snape and Lovegood are both going to pay for what they did to our Master," he sneered.

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"Please tell me you were not about to throw that book, Severus!" Luna demanded.

"Er..." he began as he backed away from her. Luna could be scary when she needed to be. "Well... yes," he quietly admitted and quickly added, "Sorry."

Luna stepped forward, not allowing him to get away. "That is it!!" she yelled, glaring at him.

Walking to his wardrobe, she picked out his pajamas and slippers and turned around, still with a fierce look on her face.

"Put these on! Now!" Not waiting for his answer, she marched over to his bed, pulling down the quilt. "Now, you have a choice. You can either have a nice evening with me, or you can go to bed right now!"

Snape perked an eyebrow at her and sneered. He loved it when Luna was fiesty with him and he loved pushing her buttons. He quickly straightened his posture and glared down at her.

"Miss Lovegood, need I remind you that I'm still your professor and that you're the student?" he hissed as he dropped his pajamas and slippers to the floor. "I will not be treated like a child. Continue and I will send you back to your house with a note saying that you need to go straight to bed."

He quickly dropped his head to conceal the smile that was threatening to form on his lips.

"Are you sure about that, Severus? I could've sworn you were behaving exactly like a child just a few minutes ago!" She put her hands on her hips and glared.

Snape put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. "Right then," he said as he went over to his desk and pulled out a parchment and quill. "What shall I write to Professor Flitwick? How about I tell him that his star student Miss Lovegood seems to be a bit cranky this evening and she should go straight to bed. What do you think Luna? Sound good?"

Deciding to stand her ground, Luna said, "Yes, that sounds fine. Be sure to mention why I was in your chambers while you're at it, as I'm sure he'll be wondering" She smirked, and waited to see what he would write.

Snape merely nodded his head and leaned over the parchment so she wouldn't see what he was writing.

Professor Flitwick,

I am sending Miss Lovegood back to Ravenclaw with the orders that she go straight to bed. I know this may sound a bit strange but I have my reasons.

It seems that Miss Lovegood has forgotten that I'm her professor and has become a bit bossy.

Oh, Professor Flitwick... I don't know what to do with her anymore. I could throw her down on my bed and make love to her all night but she might hit if I tried (Remind me to tell you the story of the day she punched me).

It's so hard being in love with the likes of her but I wouldn't trade it in for anything. I just wish she'd learn that it's all right for me to have bad days and that if I want to break every single item in my chambers, I can.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. Also, if you ever figure out women, could you clue me in? Seems I'm a bit clueless at times.

Regards,

Professor Snape

He looked the letter over once and held it up for Luna to read.

Luna snatched the letter from him without reading it. She knew he was playing...well, she could play too.

"Fine. I'll report to Professor Flitwick immediately," she said as she went to the door.

Snape didn't want to cave but he knew he had to. He sighed as he stood. "Luna, maybe you should read the letter first," he said with a small smile as he stepped toward her.

"Oh really? Surely you didn't say anything untrue?" she asked, still with a straight face. She stopped walking and held out the note.

"Why don't you read it to me, Professor?

Snape blinked his eyes and looked at her. She wanted him to read the note to her? He then saw a small glint of mischief in her eyes so he took the note.

"Very well then," he said as he cleared his throat. "Dear Professor Flitwick, I'm sending you this letter because I have to share my news with you. You see, I'm in love with a wonderful woman. It's so nice to have found my true love and equal. You might know her! Her name is Sibyll Trelawney. She's so wonderful! We realized our love for each other over tea leaves. Oh, and please make sure Miss Lovegood gets straight to bed for she's a bit cranky."

He smiled at Luna and carefully folded up the letter before slipping it into his robe pocket.

Luna bit her lip and struggled to not laugh. Grabbing the note from him, she read what he really wrote, and couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Clueless...no kidding!" she laughed.

Walking over to the bed, she said, "Well, since I'm cranky and need to go to bed, I suppose this is just as good as any." Dropping her school robes to the floor, she was left in her blouse and skirt. She kicked off her shoes and jumped in, wrapping the blankets tight around her and pretended to snore.

Snape watched her climb into his bed and smirked. He stepped across the room and pulled the covers back. After disposing of his own robes, he carefully straddled her and began to unbutton her blouse.

He leaned over and bit her neck and then her shoulder as he ran his hand up her skirt. He was about to take off her bra when he remembered he had a message for her.

"Luna," he said as he got off her, "your father owled Dumbledore today and asked us to keep you here next weekend during the Hogsmeade trip."

Luna groaned and sat up. "Did you have to think of that right then? Why can't I go to Hogsmeade? I'm seventeen, I'm a legal witch!"

"I'm sorry," said Snape with a frown. "It's been a long day and I almost forgot to tell you. And well, I agree with your father. It's not safe for you out there Luna and I'd feel better if you didn't go." He calmly sat back and waited for her to start yelling.

Luna started yelling as Severus sat back out of her way.

"How dare you both think you can control me? I'll do whatever I bloody well want! It's Hogsmeade, what can happen there?" She started buttoning up her blouse, not feeling in the mood for anymore fooling around.

Snape listened to Luna yell as he sighed to himself. He really wanted to grab her and kiss her but he knew he risked getting punched again.

"It's for your own safety love," he said as he grabbed her arms. "Plenty can go wrong at Hogsmeade! Why do you think Potter wasn't allowed to go there when Sirius Black had first escaped? It's not that safe!"

Luna could see he had his heart and mind set on her not going. "Argh! Fine! I won't go, " she said, crossing her fingers. "I will, however, go back to my room now."

"Luna," he sighed as he wrapped his arms around her, "Stay for a little while longer, please?" He softly kissed her neck, hoping that she'd respond and want to stay.

He kissed her in that place, the place that made her weak. Dammit, she thought. All intentions of leaving the room vanished, as she focused solely on the man making her shiver. "Severus," she moaned, "let me stay here the night?"

Snape felt himself melt at the sound of her moan but frowned when she asked if she could spend the night. She knew she couldn't stay since the school now had very strict curfew rules.

"You know you can't," he sighed. "But this weekend, when everyone else is at Hogsmeade we can spend the whole day together. Sound good?"

"Urgh, this is so frustrating! I really think I ought to just go to my room, Severus, I'm sorry." At the door she turned, and said, "I don't know about the weekend. I may just want to be alone."

She left the room, again not noticing the Slytherins spying on her. She saw Ginny approaching her, but went a different direction, so she could be alone.

Snape sighed and watched her leave. He really wanted her to stay but he couldn't make her. Instead, he threw a book against the wall and went to bed.

For the next two days, Luna hardly spoke to him and he knew why; she wanted to go to Hogsmeade. He pondered if there were a way she could go but couldn't think of any good solutions. And it upset him because he missed her terribly.

It was the day before the Hogsmeade trip and Snape had decided to give his Seventh Years a surprise Potions test. The room was completely quiet as the students wrote on their parchments. He watched Luna for a while and wished she'd just look at him. Instead, she finished the test, slammed in on his desk and walked out of the classroom.