"Sev, what sort of animal was that?" I asked him on our walk back home, "they looked... dead."

"Thestrals," he nodded gravely. "They are not dead, but only those who have witnessed death can see them."

I thought back to the battle and a shiver ran through me. No matter how much I wanted to outrun it, it was bound to catch up with me. I saw death. I caused death. I even came close to death. Of course I would be able to see the thestrals- that must be true for anyone who was there that dreadful day.

Wanting to change the subject before I bursted into tears, I asked him, "could you see them? Before the battle, that is." It was a stupid question - he was a death eater after all - but I was curious.

"Death has been a part of my life for many years now," he told me, his voice surprisingly unwavering. "With Lily, you see, I saw her after the Dark Lord had struck her down to get to the boy. Her body was still warm, the life slowly seeping out." He had stopped in his tracks now, no longer living in the present.

I squeezed his hand, not knowing how else to comfort him. I might have seen death, but not in the way he did that night. Everyone I loved had survived, credited almost entirely to the fact there were only two people I loved. I saw classmates die, I saw my enemies die, and I was there when Voldemort himself died. But I never held a loved ones body, I'd never gone into shock over the loss. I'd barely even mourned. I avoided it, stayed distracted, and Severus helped with that. He gave me something to look forward to, and with him I was able to forget the tragedy of the battle, and the year leading up to it.

My tears brought Sev back to reality, and before he had a chance to say it, every sad persons most dreaded question - 'are you okay' - I stood on my tip toes and planted a kiss on his lips.

Less than a minute later, I had him by the collar, dragging him through the door to his dark yet comforting home. I threw him on the sofa and ripped his cloak and shirt off as I grinded my hips against him, causing him to whimper as he became harder.

"Not yet," I commanded as his hands reached to undo his belt buckle, and he stopped at once. I shifted back on the couch, pulling my panties off as Severus got into position, eager to please. He knelt down on the couch and buried his head in my skirt until my legs started to feel like jelly and I had to push him off me. I allowed him to take off his belt before laying back again, letting me climb on top.

"I love you," he panted in my ear as he finished, taking me by surprise.

I looked at him, which his puppy dog eyes staring back up at me, and a smile spread across my face. "I love you too, Severus."

His arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me onto him, while his other one grabbed the throw blanket, pulling it messily over us.

His warm, rough fingers traced patterns on my back while I snuggled into him.

We stayed like that long after our heart rates returned to their steady paces, not wanting to break the spell.

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Sorry if you didn't like this chapter.

Thanks for reading anyway. x