Nearly forty-five minutes later, Snape and Aurora walked into the chaotic Grimmauld Place. Snape instantly grimaced at the numerous loud screeching noises that echoed throughout the building. He couldn't see what was making the horrendous noise as they walked towards the familiar meeting are, but he wished it'd cease instantly. While he had informed Madam Pomfrey that he felt fine before leaving, this atrocious noise was making his headache from this morning even worse. Though, the hand laced in his helped him somewhat, but only briefly.

"I wonder what that's all about," Aurora quietly said before releasing his hand.

"ENOUGH, Kreacher," bellowed someone from the sitting room.

When they crossed the threshold into the sitting room, a very large ceramic sculpture flew towards them. Both Snape and Aurora threw their hands up, which resulted in the bust of the late Orion Black exploding violently. However, both of them had put too much magic behind their casting, and dozens of objects around the room started to shatter simultaneously. Snape quickly sidestepped in front of Aurora to take the majority of the glistening broken glass that flew towards them.

A bright light, though, enveloped the entire room. The shattered bits of glass morphed into small granules of sand and silently sprinkled to the floor. However, more objects flew towards them. Snape noticed that it seemed to be the result of one pitiful elderly nasty-looking house elf. Drawing his wand and gently pushing Aurora back so a stray object didn't harm her, he quickly sent several blasting curses at the flying objects before stunning the house elf. He released a controlled breath when the house elf fell to the ground. At least that was over.

"YOU FILTHY BLOOD TRAITOR!" screamed Walburga Black from her portrait. Her cold dark eyes glanced towards Snape. "AND YOU, YOU HALF-BLOOD ABOMINATION, YOU WILL GET WHAT'S COMING TO YOU, TRAITOR. ALL OF YOU WILL GET WHAT IS COMING TO YOU IN THE END!" A black ball of light then slammed hard against the golden frame, and deep gashes slashed into the portrait creating confetti.

"Sorry about that," Sirius quietly said before shaking his head. "Are you both all right?"

"Your mother's almost as charming as you are, Black," Snape replied before turning around towards Aurora. His eyes narrowed on her instantly. She was holding her left arm across her stomach and grimacing. "What's wrong?" he quickly asked. He heard the slight edge to his voice, but ignored it. Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed Black standing next to him. It slightly unnerved him to have his onetime childhood tormentor standing next to him, but he could see the concern for Aurora in the man's eyes. He guessed he could overlook the closeness for now.

"It's nothing, Severus. Just a piece of glass nicked me in the arm," she answered groaning softly.

Her words, however, didn't calm him in the slightest. Snape gently grabbed her arm and slowly pushed up her midnight blue sleeve. Just nicked your arm, my arse, Sinistra, he thought as he caught the bloody sight. He glanced at her briefly, but didn't say anything. The tip of his wand gently touched her laceration, removing any particles that had lodged in it before healing it. He knew that her arm would still be sore, but he didn't have any pain-relieving potions on him for once.

"Are there any other areas that you were 'nicked'?" Snape asked with a slight growl.

"No. I'm fine, Severus," she replied softly. Snape could see the shame in her face, but she quickly masked it. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so harsh with her. However, it wasn't just her that he had to think about anymore. And no matter what Pomfrey said, something still unsettled him about Pomfrey's so-called precautions. She was hiding something from them, which truthfully scared him.

"Is everyone all right? Aurora? Severus?" asked Dumbledore.

"We're fine," Aurora responded. "What was that all about?" she asked glancing towards Sirius.

"It was just Kreacher and Mother being their typical fun loving selves," Sirius answered with a forced laugh. "Again, I apologize for the sudden ambush. They've been a bit cranky all day with all the people. We don't have to worry about that happening again, though," he said glancing at the slashed portrait. "I think Mother finally understands." He then glanced at him. "Is everything all right, Snape?"

"Other than the fact that you're trying to carry on a cordial conversation with me, oh, yes, Black, everything is just plain lovely," he drawled. Snape watched Aurora quietly walk off towards Septima. He tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice at her departure, but it was hard with Black around.

"I realize we don't get on particularly well, Snape. Hell, there's a lot of contempt between us."

"Gee, I wonder why that is, Black," drawled Snape.

"I know. I was an arse to you in school. Well, actually James and I were much worse than that. I guess what I'm trying to spit out and say is that I'm sorry for how we treated you." Snape's dark eyes darted towards him. "Use your Legilimency on me if you have to, Snape, but I'm telling the truth."

"Why the sudden change of heart, Black?"

"I saw my godson today, Snape. I can't deny that you're doing a damn good job with him. Hell, I haven't seen Harry this happy in awhile." Sirius then sighed. "I'll admit at first that I was horrified that Harry had picked you as his guardian, but, well, he's happy, and that's all that matters to me."

"So if I then…" Snape's voice then uncharacteristically cracked, which he blamed the stupid potion for doing. He cleared his throat and tried again. "If I requested to adopt him formally, would you try to fight it, Black?" He caught the instant grunt from the man next to him, but Sirius remained quiet for a while before finally responding.

"You want to adopt him, Snape?" Sirius then sighed before running a hand through his hair. "He's…he's my godson, Snape. Merlin, James would be…he's probably rolling in his grave right now." Shaking his head a few seconds later, he exhaled forcefully. "Fine, fine, adopt him, Snape. Merlin knows that Harry would love it, but I would like to spend time with my godson every now and then."

"I'm sure that could be arranged," Snape softly replied.

"You love him, don't you, Snape?" Sirius asked quietly. He didn't get a response, but he didn't need one. "Yeah, of course you do. He has her eyes," he muttered.

"Unlike you, I do not look at him and think about his parents." At Sirius's look of disbelief, Snape added, "Not anymore, I assure you, Black. Harry is his own individual. He has certainly proven that to me over the years." When Sirius started to scratch the back of his neck nervously, Snape's eyes narrowed on the man. "What, Black?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking how much you've changed, Snape." Sirius then scoffed with a soft chuckle. "I'd probably change, though, too if I had your life."

"Continue this pity party elsewhere, Black."

"It's not pity I'm feeling." Sirius glanced down. "You're going to be a great father, Snape."

Snape nearly asked Black what in the hell was the matter with him. However, Sirius left before he could. There was something…unsettling about Black's words. Perhaps it was because Black had spoken with so much…remorse possibly. Snape then shook his head. He had much better things to worry about than the mysteries concerning Sirius Black.

For example, he wondered how Harry would take the news of him adopting him. Granted, they were getting along better than before. However, Snape had been a royal bastard to him over the years. Harry probably wouldn't forget their stormy past so easily. It was probably still there, the anger and contempt for each other. Harry just was burying the hatchet for now, but Snape wondered for how long.

"If everyone could take their seats, I'll begin," Dumbledore spoke, glancing directly at Snape. Snape only scoffed, though.

Nearly two hours later, Snape groaned and leaned his head back against the wall. It seemed like Dumbledore was never going to stop talking. It wasn't as if the wizard was saying anything really important. Dumbledore was congratulating the group for a job well done on defeating the Dark Lord. He even mentioned Severus's name and revealed that he had been Dumbledore's since before Lily and James's murders. Considering his past, the rest of the group seemed to take that news rather well. Dumbledore then moved onto speaking about the Ministry and its new target, Hogwarts.

Snape closed his eyes, taking slow and even breaths. That was until he felt someone lean back against him. His eyes quickly opened, and he glared until he realized it was only Aurora. He then smirked and glanced around. No one appeared to be paying attention, so he gently wrapped his arms around her. He wasn't normally one for displaying his affections for all to see, but either the potion or her hormones were still controlling him. Honestly, he didn't care which reason it was because secretly he was enjoying himself rather immensely.

"I'm sorry about earlier," she whispered softly. "I didn't realize I was hurt that badly, though."

"I had realized that," he replied back in a low voice. "However, in the future, I'd appreciate it if you informed me the moment you were injured."

"Would you like me to swear on my Witch's Oath or take an Unbreakable Vow, Severus?" she joked quietly before resting her hands atop of his. Her head leaned back against his shoulder as if she too was enjoying their private cuddling session.

His eyes then darted down to look at her. She was absolutely relaxed in his arms. He then noticed that his hands rested comfortably on her flat stomach. Something deep within himself made him grin. Underneath his skilled hands was their child. He then snorted softly. If this child's conception were a sign of things to come for them, then they'd have to keep using protection when they were together. That was unless Aurora wished to give birth to a litter of children. The dirty old man in him definitely knew that once they were married, he so would be unable to keep his hands off her. That dangerous thought, however, made him clear his throat quietly in response to his physical reaction.

"Severus?" she asked quietly with a bit of amusement in her voice.

"Yes, Aurora?" he responded trying not to grimace. Those damn stupid hormones of hers…or maybe it were his hormones now. He couldn't be sure anymore. Then again, he was thirty-five now. One would think his hormones wouldn't be as chaotic as hers were.

"Um…by any chance, could you move your wand?"

He clenched his teeth painfully to keep from blurting out what the little voice was screaming. He could see her biting her lip, which he knew was to keep herself from bursting out with laughter. He then glanced towards Albus and focused on him.

"You know, we could—"

"Do nothing," he responded instantly. "This is not the place for such things. After all, the Weasley children, Granger, even Harry is here. I wish to maintain some shred of respect from my students, and the odds are greatly in favor of us being caught." He felt her sigh softly. Unfortunately, with the loss of his Occlumency barriers and heightened emotional state, he quietly whispered, "Though, the thought is rather…alluring." Almost instantly, he heard her soft whimpering, which didn't help his situation in the slightest. Think of Albus. Think of Albus, he repeated in his head glancing at the elderly wizard. Think of Albus. Think of Albus, he repeated closing his eyes. Within seconds, he smelled the raspberries and ginger from her shampoo. "Dammit," he muttered opening his eyes again.

"Severus," she whispered. He could hear her desperately trying to hold back her laughter now. He had to admit that he too was having a tough time controlling himself. However, that much was obvious by their situation.

"It's your own damn fault, Sinistra," he replied grumpily. Thankfully, not a single person was paying attention to them. They could continue their conversation in hushed tones.

"My fault?" she repeated. "I'm not the one with the—"

His hand instantly covered her mouth. She instantly started to laugh against him. His other arm then moved so he didn't hurt her before he tightened his hold on her against him. Her laughing definitely was not helping matters.

"Yes," he hissed in her ear. "It's your fault that we're in this situation. If you wore conservative clothes and hid your figure…or perhaps not used that stimulating blend of shampoo, we would not be in this situation." He felt her try to talk around his hand so he slowly lowered it.

"Oh, so my shampoo is the reason, yes, yes, Severus, that must be it," she whispered with a large grin. "I suppose you, who have never in your life used—"

His hand covered her mouth again. When twinkling blue eyes suddenly rested on Aurora and him, he nearly groaned. However, Albus only glanced away and continued to address the others.

"When we get back to the castle, you and I are going to have a little chat, Sinistra," he growled in his dangerous (and what every girl considered his sexy) voice. He then felt her try to talk around his hand again, but he kept it there. Aurora had other ideas, though. She bit the sensitive part of his palm, which caused him to release her suddenly and throw his arm backwards. Unfortunately, his hand hit a vase, causing it to fall to the floor and shatter very loudly. Almost instantly, fifteen pairs of eyes darted towards him and Aurora. He stood as still as a statue under their gaze. Aurora, on the other hand, burst out laughing until tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"Is everything all right, Severus?" Minerva asked softly glancing from him to Aurora.

"Yes," he ground out seething inside at himself. He could see the maddening twinkle from Albus, the guilty knowing smile on Vector's face, the shared confusion between Arthur and Molly, and the wide grin on Sirius's face. Lovely, no doubt his face was reddening with embarrassment. At least his problem finally deflated. Unfortunately, it left him now with a hysterical fiancée who couldn't stop laughing. It wasn't even that funny. Okay, so a part of him, a very small part, did find it a little funny. That didn't mean, though, that he'd start to burst out chuckling and bend over holding his side like Aurora was doing. He had some shred of dignity left. Though, he had decided that after this, he'd never brew that damn potion again. He needed his barriers if only to keep him from embarrassing himself.

"Well, on that note, perhaps it'd be best if we ended the meeting for tonight. Unless either you or Aurora would like to inform the others?" slyly Albus asked.

"Inform us about what?" Molly responded standing up. There was deep concern in her eyes. "Severus, what's he talking about?" Then again, Molly Weasley had always treated him with kindness.

Snape opened his mouth to snap at her that it wasn't any of her business. However, that didn't come out. "Aurora's pregnant." His eyes then widened. He couldn't have…oh, dammit! That stupid potion was going to be the death of him yet. What happened to the feared head of Slytherin House, Severus Snape, who could keep his mouth shut and control his emotions so well that most people considered him a cold heartless git? What happened to his inner bastard? If he thought that was bad, though, when Molly went to ask another question, he learned that was nothing. "It's mine." He faintly could hear Aurora's laughter increase, which made him desperately wish he could hex her. His oh-so-loving fiancée, however, was pregnant with his child, which he just revealed to everyone. His muddled mind then forced him to speak again. "We're engaged."

Oh, dear Merlin, just kill me now, he groaned in his mind, closing his eyes. This is the absolute last time I ever take something Harry tells me to brew. He then opened his eyes again. Most of the other members appeared to be in a state of shock, which he could understand. He was shocked and appalled by his behavior too.

When arms wrapped around him suddenly, it caught him off-guard momentarily because Aurora was still laughing hysterically next to him. He then scoffed when he realized that it was Molly who was embracing him so fiercely. He tried not to tense with her embrace, but he couldn't help it. He felt…odd.

"Oh, congratulations, Severus," Molly said before kissing his cheek. She then backed away from him and enveloped Aurora in a fierce carbon copy of his hug.

With her back turned, Snape quickly wiped his black sleeves against his cheek where Molly had kissed him. He could hear Black softly chuckling a few feet from him. He was glad he could entertain the Gryffindor so much. His dark eyes then darted towards Molly and Aurora. Almost instantly, he shook his head rather violently. He didn't know why, but somehow Molly had morphed for a split second into Lily in his mind. That wasn't a good sign. Perhaps this was his first side effect that he was exhibiting from the potion.

Snape then turned towards Albus and sighed. No, he'd just rack it up to his heightened emotions. It couldn't be from the potion. If he saw Lily again, then he silently vowed he would speak to Pomfrey. For now, though, he'd just ignore it.

After a few minutes of the other members congratulating them and kisses on the cheek from Tonks and Septima later, Snape and Aurora finally were able to leave the sitting room together. He was slightly annoyed with himself, but he also felt surprisingly relieved for some reason. He heard the quiet chattering of his students from upstairs. So with a glance towards Aurora, he went upstairs to collect Harry so they could go home. He gently knocked on the closed door and heard the room instantly hush.

A few seconds later, the door opened to reveal Granger. She smiled politely and allowed him to enter the room. His dark eyes instantly found the familiar messy dark hair sitting across from Weasley, Ron that was, playing Exploding Snap. The twins then glanced at him with guilty smiles, but for what they were guilty of he was rather certain he didn't want to know.

"I apologize for intruding," Snape softly spoke. He watched Harry turn around before the young man rushed to him and embraced him. This caught Snape off-guard for the second time in mere minutes. He softly smiled, though, and gently carded the young man's hair. "I'd ask if you missed me, but it appears that you have, Harry." Snape then glanced towards Harry's friends who were all staring at him strangely. "In the case he did not inform you, I am under the influence of a potion currently, so I am not going to be the git that you're all used to."

"He told us," one of the twins replied.

"Course, that's not all he told us," the other twin said with a grin.

"If you are referring to the fact that I am currently involved with Sinistra, then I'd be rather careful what I'd say if I were you, Mr. Weasley."

"Of course, sir," the twins responded grinning widely.

"So…is it true, though?" Snape's eyes narrowed on his students. "Is she pregnant?"

"She is," Snape replied glancing down at Harry. "And before you ask, the child's mine." He watched the twins whistle appreciatively. "What?"

"Well, all due respect, sir, but I think you should know this. It's somewhat turned into a tradition, but every start of the year, every House creates a list about who is the most attractive witch and wizard on staff at Hogwarts." Snape scoffed, but motioned for them to continue. "Not surprisingly, Professor Sinistra's at the top of every House's list, and she has been ever since Bill's second year."

"I see," Snape drawled. The dirty old man part of his mind started to chuckle darkly at this fact. However, he quickly focused his thoughts elsewhere else. "And who has been the top wizard?"

"Well, it's actually you, sir."

"What?" Snape exclaimed turning towards the twins.

"I know. It was somewhat shocking to us, too, sir. I guess if you think about it, though, it does make sense. The next youngest professor in age to you is…um…maybe Hagrid or Filch. Though, you did initially lose to Lockhart during Harry's second year."

"Well, that was until you blasted Lockhart off the platform during our dueling club. Then you won all four Houses." Snape softly scoffed before shaking his head.

"Entertaining as this was, Harry and I must be leaving." Snape watched as Harry then said bye to his friends before the two went downstairs. "Let's go home, Harry," he said as Aurora joined them.