Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

/-/-/-

Moving On

The ornamental grass beneath the open window swayed in the breeze. Severus felt the cool air touch his face as a bird sang its simple tune outside. The peace and quiet of the country contrasted sharply with summers in Spinner's End. There were no noisy neighbors slamming doors and yelling, no children running through the streets. At Millwood, it was just he and Miriam. They walked the grounds together and rambled through the large house during the day; at night, they made love with abandon. Severus could not remember a time in his life where he felt more content.

Severus folded the Daily Prophet and tossed it on the table next to his plate. He surveyed the offerings placed before him- a light breakfast of fruit and pastries. An arm reached over his shoulder to place a cup of coffee on the table.

"Good morning," Miriam spoke softly in his ear. She placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. Severus turned slightly, and gently pulled Miriam onto his lap. Laughing, Miriam settled across his legs and curled up in his embrace. "You realize there are five other chairs?"

"I prefer you here," Severus replied. He absently rubbed his hand across Miriam's thigh as they gazed at each other. Miriam's eyes fell to Severus' lips, and the wizard noticed immediately the pink blush bloom across her cheeks. Severus slipped his hand into Miriam's hair and lowered his mouth to hers. He felt a slight smile against his lips as Miriam kissed him back.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," Miriam said after they broke apart. She leaned back and took a small bunch of grapes off the table. "You appeared deep in thought earlier," Miriam mused as she fed Severus a grape. "What troubles you?"

Severus chewed carefully before he answered. "I would like to pack up my home in Spinner's End and bring everything here. I believe it will sell faster empty." He watched Miriam's face as she took in this new bit of information. After a moment, her contemplative expression gave way to a smile.

"This sounds serious, Severus."

"I am serious. Especially when it comes to you."

"Well, when I asked you to share this house with me, I didn't mean for the summer, or the end of the year. I meant forever. So, if you are decided, how can I help?"

/-/-/-

Miriam glanced around at the barren landscape before her. She and Severus apparated to the outskirts of Cokeworth, next to a dirty river. The large smokestacks loomed over the distant row houses and Miriam couldn't stifle the sigh that escaped her. Depression settled over her like a fog. Miriam smoothed her hands down the simple summer dress she wore and turned to Severus. He stood next to her in his typical black attire, minus the robes. In his left hand he carried their satchel of overnight clothes.

Severus led her through the tall grass onto a gravel road. As they walked, Miriam noticed how silent the streets were. It was early- just past sunrise- and it seemed Miriam and Severus were the only ones awake. "Do you really think we only need two days to pack?" Miriam asked softly.

"Yes," Severus replied just as quietly, as he was well aware of the hour. "I don't have much, really." Miriam nodded and kept walking. Severus grasped her hand. "Thank you for this."

Miriam squeezed his hand in return. "Of course."

On Severus' front step, Miriam shielded him from view as Severus lowered his wards and unlocked the door. It was not necessary, as they were the only inhabitants on the street, but old war habits die hard. Severus placed a gentle hand to Miriam's back and guided her through the door, then locked it behind him. Miriam walked down the dimly lit hall and into Severus'' sitting room. So many books, Miriam thought to herself with a wistful sigh.

Severus came to stand beside Miriam and joined her in contemplation. After a prolonged silence, he spoke. "I'm mostly concerned about my books, and potions equipment. The only person I trust with those things besides myself is you," Severus said as he glanced down at Miriam. She smiled, and Severus continued on. "I may take a piece of furniture or two, but everything else can be donated."

A loud knock on the door caused Miriam to jump slightly. "That must be the moving company," Severus said to himself as he went to answer the door. Miriam watched Severus disappear, then she turned her attention back to the bookcases. Last time she was here, Miriam did not get much of an opportunity to look. She planned to do that today.

The moving men walked through the house with Severus, taking stock of the amount of goods to calculate how many boxes to leave. Miriam was impressed with the speed Severus located a wizard moving company with ties to the muggle world. The plan was for Severus and Miriam to pack the house, so that the men could load the truck tomorrow afternoon. Then, the movers would drive the truck to Millwood.

By the time the movers left, there was a large stack of flattened boxes in the sitting room waiting to be filled. Miriam used the time Severus was with the movers to get a good look at the bookcases and realized Severus had his collection impressively organized alphabetically and by subject. To Miriam's organized mind, it was a thing of beauty.

When Severus came back, he surveyed the chaos and sighed heavily. "I'm not sure where to begin."

"Why don't you start with your potions equipment? If you don't mind, I can start on the books," Miriam prompted.

Severus nodded in agreement and the pair set to work. With great care, Severus wrapped each piece of potions equipment individually and placed them in a box filled with paper. When he finished, Severus noticed Miriam made quite a bit of progress with the books. A small wall of boxes had taken shape. Severus bent down and read that Miriam wrote on the outside of each box its contents; the subject and alphabetically by the first and last book placed in the box. Inwardly, the dark wizard smiled. The few things Severus had, Miriam treated them as her own.

"How am I doing?" Severus turned at the sound of Miriam's voice. She taped closed a box and looked at Severus expectantly.

"Wonderfully," Severus answered truthfully. He brushed aside Miriam's hair, as she smiled widely at his praise. "I know this isn't exciting, but I appreciate your help."

"You can make it up to me later," Miriam teased. "Besides, I want our house to be just that- ours. I'm thrilled about taking this step with you, and I don't mind the work in the least. Now, let's keep going so we have the night to ourselves."

The pair worked through the afternoon, with a brief stop for lunch that Millie brought over. At the end of the day, Severus and Miriam only had a small section of books left to pack and a large stack of boxes to show for all their hard work. Both were tired, hungry, and in need of a break.

"After we freshen up, would you like to go out for dinner?" Severus asked Miriam.

Miriam's eyes lit up. "Yes, I'd love to!"

"There's a pub nearby." Severus hesitated and continued. "It's nothing fancy…just your typical pub fare and alcohol."

Miriam dismissed the statement with a wave of her hand. "It doesn't have to be fancy, and after all the work we accomplished today, we should celebrate with some libations."

Severus pondered Miriam's words as his eyes washed over her. He caught her eye and grabbed Mia around the waist and pulled her against him. "Or, we can get take away and stay in. I have some wine in the kitchen."

Miriam smiled widely before she kissed Severus on the lips. His large hands slid slowly down her back, leaving a trail of warmth behind. Miriam wrapped her arms around Severus' neck as she kicked her shoes off. The loud noise startled Severus and he pulled away. He stared down at Miriam, a curious look in his dark eyes.

"Let's stay in," Miriam whispered.

The next morning, Severus woke with a start. He frowned as a shrill voice yelled down the street, followed by the slam of a door. As Severus stretched under the covers, his left arm brushed against the empty sheets on Miriam's half of the bed.

Severus sat up and looked around the room. It too, was empty. This won't do, Severus thought to himself. With that, Severus grabbed his boxers off the floor and slipped them on. Quietly, he made his way to the stairs. As he descended, Severus heard a noise downstairs.

He moved silently through the sitting room as his eyes swept from wall to wall. Severus smirked at the takeout boxes and wine glasses on the coffee table as he stepped over Miriam's shoes. At the door to the kitchen, Severus paused. Miriam had her back to Severus, unaware of his presence as she hummed and bustled about. She had on Severus' white linen shirt; the long sleeves covered her hands, and where the shirt ended all Severus could see were Miriam's bare legs. Miriam placed the kettle in the sink and turned on the water.

Severus snuck up behind Miriam and wrapped his arms around her waist. Miriam tensed for the briefest moment before she relaxed into his embrace. She leaned against him and sighed. Severus nuzzled his nose against her neck, which was covered in curls. "What are you doing up so early?" Severus asked.

Miriam inhaled sharply as Severus slipped his hands under the shirt and caressed her bare belly with his long fingers. With effort, she replied, "I wanted to surprise you with tea in bed. What are you doing up so early?" Miriam countered back.

"Looking for you," Severus breathed in Miriam's ear. He reluctantly released her and shut the tap off.

Miriam turned around. "Let me get this going." Severus looked down at her and took a seat at the table. The worn formica table had three rickety chairs around it, and Miriam watched as Severus occupied the one directly across from her. She placed the kettle on the stove and turned to the cupboards. She opened the first one, and did not see any tea. So, she opened another, only to find it bare. Miriam frowned. "Severus, where do you keep your tea?"

It took a moment for Miriam's question to register. Severus quite enjoyed the view as Miriam searched through his cupboards. Every time she raised her arms, the hem of his shirt revealed more of her body to his roving eyes. "In a tin," Severus answered dismissively.

Miriam paused, her hand on the cupboard door, surprised by Severus' cheeky answer. She spun around and looked at the wizard. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, covered sparsely with dark hair. Miriam could see every outline of his calf and thigh muscles thanks to the boxers and lack of other clothes. Her eyes traveled up his body to his face, which showed a faint smirk at Miriam's surprise.

Severus saw Miriam's lips purse together before she moved towards him. The kitchen was small, and in a few steps Miriam stood in front of him. She straddled his lap and slowly ran her hands across his chest. Severus closed his eyes as he felt his skin tingle under her touch. Then, her lips touched his. "You don't want any tea, do you, Severus?" Miriam whispered.

"No." Miriam pulled away and Severus' eyes opened. Her eyes never left his as her hands slowly undid the shirt buttons. Miriam slipped the shirt off one shoulder as a small gasp filled the silence. Severus' idle hands had suddenly wrapped around her waist and pulled her to him. The tension between them grew as their stare intensified.

Miriam licked her dry lips. "Kiss me," she whispered.

His lips brushed against hers lightly, and gave Miriam only a small taste of what she wanted. His mouth fell to her neck and she ground slowly against him as Severus' hands tightened around her. Miriam wrapped her hands around his neck and shifted slightly. Severus' lips traveled down her chest, and as he teased her nipple with his tongue he was vaguely aware of her nails as they dug into his shoulders. Miriam's back arched with delight as he moved to her other breast and she moaned softly.

Severus released her breast and gazed hungrily at Miriam. She moved off his lap and tugged at his boxers, which Severus quickly helped her remove. When she straddled his lap, his body tense with desire, Miriam kissed him again. They kissed fiercely, their tongues battled for dominance as they twined around each other. Without breaking the kiss, Miriam rose slightly and settled down on Severus' throbbing cock. Severus hissed and tossed his head back at the pleasure that brought him, and Miriam smirked. "Is that what you wanted?" she purred.

Severus had no time to reply before Miriam kissed him again. Severus tenderly kissed her back, his hands gently guided her up, and then down. Her hips moved to the easy rhythm as they kissed, unhurried in their coupling. Severus' hands traveled over Miriam's curves, his fingers swept aside the linen shirt and he eyed Miriam's figure appreciatively. "You must stop wearing my linen shirts, Miriam. Seeing you in them makes me lustful."

Miriam's movements stilled. "Is that so? I think I'll keep this one, then." At Severus' raised eyebrow, Miriam continued. "Don't worry, I'll buy you another."

Severus grinned and repositioned his hold on Miriam as he stood. With one hand on her bottom, he easily supported her weight, while his other hand went up the length of her spine. Severus sat her gently on the worn table. "Wrap your legs around me," he instructed. No sooner had Miriam complied he was inside her again. She gasped and arched against him, her head thrown back.

A shiver raced up her spine as Severus' teeth nipped at her neck, before she cried out in pleasure as Severus roughly thrust into her. She heard Severus growl lowly, his thrusts came fast and hard. Her pleasured cries echoes around the near empty kitchen. "More," Miriam gasped.

His breath ragged, Severus spoke. "Bloody hell, witch." He grabbed her hips, his long fingers pressed tightly against her flesh, as Miriam wrapped her arms around his neck. She cried out, her name on his lips, which ended in a shriek as she climaxed. Severus thrust into her one more time, and held her tight against him as he released. They stayed wrapped around each other until Severus felt he could breathe again. His movement stirred Miriam who raised her head from his shoulder. Her beautiful face was still flushed, and Severus leaned down to capture her full lips with his own.

"Bath?" Severus asked as he helped Miriam to stand.

"I'd love one," Miriam answered as Severus led her up the stairs.

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A/N: I'm back! (((waves hand excitedly)))
Sorry for the hiatus, but at last my muse has returned. I'm excited to start this short story, which will be just a few chapters. This takes place immediately after Things That Come to Pass. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!