Chapter 1

Severus Snape grumpily entered the staff room, a scowl on his face, and an air of fatal determination. He made his way toward the witch seated near the hearth and was about to announce his presence by screaming the name of his colleague but before he opened his mouth his companion spoke first.

"Professor Snape. Is there any problem?" she asked without even looking to address him.

"If you call an explosion in my class by none other than your blasted Gryffindor then yes we have a crisis in the form of Neville Longbottom," Severus sneered.

Minerva McGonagall turned to look at him then and simply peered at him for a moment before redirecting her attention to the crackling warmth of the wood burning away in the fireplace.

"That's not something new. I expected you to at least have some new issue to discuss with me. I trust that you can handle this on your own as it has occurred numerous times before and I also expected that you would be accustomed to the situation by now. Am I correct in my assumptions?" she asked almost nonchalantly.

"I only saw it fit to call your attention to something that your charge has done and as Head of Gryffindor house I expect that you will administer a proper sanction for this shall we say "incident". Also, I expect you to actually give a damn about your so-called cubs!"

Pomona Sprout and Filius Flitwick both winced at this point. They looked at one another and automatically had the same thought. Here it comes. Minerva McGonagall stood up and stepped into Snape's personal space before speaking in a spine shivering, low and calm voice as her eyes flashed with fury,

"I suggest that before you tell me that I 'don't give a damn about my cubs' you should consider the consequences of what you're getting yourself into. Tell me or even hint that I am not an adequate Head of House again and you can be sure that I will have your head and the rest of you will be hexed into oblivion!"

Severus slowly took a cautious step back. Never had he seen her this furious. He expected a retort along the lines of him being an insufficient professor in general or even pick on the fact that he is the most hated professor in the school but not such an icy and menacing reply such as what he had just received. When Minerva calmed down a bit she sighed and apologized to Severus for her sudden outburst and sat back down. Pomona, Filius, Rolanda, and Sybill all exited the staffroom slowly before another war broke out between the two. They deduced from the look on Minerva's face that she was already on edge and only someone as dense as Severus Snape would even dare even pushing her even the tiniest bit.

Once the large oak doors closed Severus kneeled down next to Minerva and put his hand over hers on the armrest. His face softening as he gazed at her. She was tired and frustrated. Her hair was slowly falling from its customary chignon and hung around her face. She looked pale and her eyes were heavy.

"What happened today?" he asked softly.

"It's just been a long day and double Transfiguration with the 5th year Slytherins and Gryffindors did nothing to make it better. I also feel quite fatigued from all the frenzy of the start of year."

"Let me guess. My students are insufferable and are as bad as rampant wild animals?" he teased.

"Yes. They take after their Head of House very well. Except for a few choice things," she replied with a smile.

"Well, why don't we both head to bed so you can finally rest?" he stood up and offered her his hand to help her get up from the cozy armchair. She whispered her thanks and led the way.

They went down the winding halls of Hogwarts. They eventually ended up in front of Minerva's door. She gave the password to the lion that guarded her quarters and they entered. Before she was able to sit on the sofa of her living room, Severus spoke up.

"I thought you were going to get some sleep?"

"Very well! But you are going nowhere tonight."

"I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else," he said with a tender smile and a twinkle in his eye that hardly anyone ever saw.

They went into her bedroom and prepared for bed. Once they were dressed and clean they crawled into bed. Severus then pulled Minerva closer to him and wrapped his arms around her as they dozed off.

"Goodnight, my sweet!" Severus said.

At that Minerva perked up. Never had Severus called her any type of endearment and now he just used the term 'my sweet'.

"What?" she said looking at him incredulously.

"I said goodnight. Is something wrong with that?" Severus replied confused.

"No, the one after that."

"My sweet? Do you not like it?" he asked concerned that he had offended her even though he had no idea how such a simple name could set her off.

"No I don't mind. It's just shocking that you had a soft side to your cold exterior," she replied chuckling lightly.

Severus stared at her in mock hurt but was inwardly amused at her teasing tone. He didn't want to respond verbally because he knew he couldn't trust his voice to remain steady and not give him away. So instead he just pulled her even closer and kissed the top of her head and rubbing circles on her back.

"Goodnight, ye big ol' softie!" Minerva said giving Severus one last kiss on the cheek before she was enveloped in Morpheus' arms and fall asleep.