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Ch. 1- Popping Bubbles

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The bath would have been perfect if it had not been for the bubbles. As he rested against the porcelain rim of the enormous claw foot tub, Severus popped one of the nuisances floating past his face and mused, "What earthly good is a bubble? It serves no practical purpose. The amount of actual soapbark and yucca contained within is infinitesimal. If the function is supposedly decorative, I say the view is more scenic without obstruction."

Lying back against his chest, his partner turned her head to kiss his cheek. "Thank you," Eris said smilingly, "but the ylang ylang and sweet orange ease anxiety and encourage relaxation." Dark blue eyes slanted mischievously. "According to the aromatherapy tome I found in the library, the essential oils have an exotic, sensual aroma that soothe emotion and relieve tension while leaving skin smooth."

Severus slid wet brown strands away from her ear and bent to murmur, "Your skin is already like silk, and if one set of tensions was eased, another was roused."

Water sloshed over the side of the tub when Eris shifted in his arms. He met her seeking lips eagerly. The press of her mouth and skin evoked feelings that months of intimacy had only strengthened. Although at times Severus regretted the need to circumvent the directive stating apprenticeships were strictly unaccompanied, he was not sorry. The knowledge that his partner had chosen love over the demands of family gave him a sense of emotional security he had never had before.

Thoughts of possessing her heart led to a more physical desire. Before Severus could turn thought into deed, a voice called from the adjoining chamber.

"Hey Tyke, you decent?"

Eris' eyes were wide with shock. Severus said, "Transform."

Tom Wilkes, his Hogwarts roommate, pushed open the lavatory door and laughed to see a cat trying to scramble out of the water. "Kitty needs to learn not to walk on the edge of the tub."

Scooping up his Animagus partner, Severus deposited the bedraggled Siamese onto the bath rug. The growling sounds she made sounded like feline imprecations. His lips twitched. Watching Tom kneel down with a towel, he said, "Your discourteous invasion of private quarters caused the unwelcome soaking, so blame only yourself if Epis scratches."

"Don't blame me, little beauty, blame him for using the same ward we put on our dorm at Hogwarts." The dark Englishman grinned. "I came all the way to this isolated keep perched on a godsforsaken rock in the north of Wales. The least you can do is to allow me a bit of fun." Finished drying the cat, Tom snickered. "Are those bubbles?"

"Ylang-ylang is widely used in herbal medicine," Severus replied stiffly.

"Ylang-ylang?"

"An essence derived from flowers of a tree native to islands of the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. It relaxes," Severus informed austerely as possible while surrounded by frivolous foam.

Snorting, his friend picked up the small flagon beside the tub and sniffed. "Smells like something Claire would like."

"By all means have it--as long as you adjourn to the other room forthwith."

"Embarrassed to be seen playing with bubbles?" Smirking, Tom slipped the flagon into a robe pocket. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, although the hilarious image is fixed in my memory forever."

"Go."

"Come on, Kitty, we don't want to see anything that will give us nightmares." Picking up the cat that mewed a protest, the wizard exited the lavatory, chuckling.

A drying charm and Accio clothing later, Severus entered his living quarters. Tom was sitting in one of the chairs flanking the fireplace, scratching behind the cat's ears. Dropping into the adjourning seat, Severus could not prevent a complacent half-smile when the feline sprang into his lap, purring.

His friend said, "The kitty's name means hope, and I hoped her companionship would make losing your girl's a little easier."

Severus inclined his head.

Tom continued, "My girlfriend is still hoping Eris will send another letter, although it's been months since she ran off."

"She was of age."

"Tell that to her father. Ulrik Greyback has upped the reward for knowledge of Eris' whereabouts, and sent her uncle hunting down every lead."

The mention of Fenrir Greyback sent a frisson of apprehension through Severus. The werewolf was known to be vicious and relentless.

"Clive Sutton emigrated shortly after Eris disappeared, so the family is trying to trace him in Australia."

"And you are sharing this because…."

"I could just be making conversation."

Severus lifted a brow.

The other man laughed. "Actually, I've been assigned to Greyback's unit, and he put me on the job."

"Ulrik?"

"Fenrir."

That could only mean... "I had not heard you received the Dark Mark."

"It's not the kind of thing you send out announcements for, mate." Raising his left arm, Tom pulled down the sleeve to show the distinctive skull. With a mixture of dread and anticipation, Severus felt his own skin tingle. Tom leaned forward. "It was like nothing I'd ever experienced. The pain was so great it was almost a pleasure. It made me a tad more sympathetic to masochists like Lestrange."

"Rodolphus?"

"Rabastan. Fenrir told me some stories that might put a curl in even your lank hair, but that's not important."

"What is?"

"He's holding Greyback responsible for permitting his daughter to run off. The Dark Lord frowns on men unable to control their families. Ulrik has lost much influence within the Knights of Walpurgis." A sly smile crossed Tom's face. "His loss is our sponsor's gain."

Severus felt the tension in the slender body beneath his fingers. He petted in long, soothing sweeps down her back. Calmly, he said, "Pour a glass of firewhisky and we'll drink to Lucius' good fortune."

Tom picked up the decanter of Ogden's Finest from the table beside his chair and poured them each a generous measure. "Forget bold, may fortune favour the Slytherin--namely us."

Glasses clinked together as Severus seconded the toast. Taking a drink, he asked, "Are you here to visit a friend or to gather information?"

"Both. Since you were close to Eris, I figured you might have an idea or two where she's gone."

"We did not part as friends promising to stay in touch. I received no letter."

"I didn't think you had, but you were seeing her for a long time. Surely the girl confided something?"

Severus rubbed beneath the cat's chin. "Eris told me she would not marry a man not of her choosing and that she had skills to make her way in the world."

"Transfiguration. Right."

Severus nodded, thinking how ironic that the wizard searching for Eris was seated in a chamber she had transformed with her spell work. While Tom proceeded to relate the different leads others had followed, Severus thought back to a day in July.

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The farmer who had given him a ride from the village pulled his cart to a halt.

Severus looked from the steep pathway to the keep that loomed over the hillside. "You jest." From her perch on his lap, 'Epis' meowed.

"Likes his privacy, does old Mordred." As his passenger removed his trunk from the cart, the man said, "Pob lwc."

Recalling the Welsh phrase, Severus nodded. "Good luck to you also."

The civility earned a laugh. "No, that's the name of the castle." The man waved. "Prynhawn da."

Severus did not see what was so good about an afternoon spent trudging up a rocky trail, but he returned the pleasantry and prepared to locomotor his trunk.

Once atop the craggy outlook, he admitted that the view of the countryside beyond was exceptional. It was an excellent position both to defend and stand guard over the valley floor. Turning to the Welsh D-shaped keep he had read was typical of the 13th century, Severus could imagine archers taking fire.

"Meowrrr?"

The questioning sound ended medieval musings. Severus continued toward the round tower.

"Croeso, welcome."

The old man looked nothing like the nephew he had seen on a Chocolate Frog card. "Master Mordred Ap Meurig?"

Wispy white hair on a balding head shook. "Gruffydd. The master is busy. He will see you tomorrow. Come, quarters are this way."

The stone fortress was as stark inside as without. Flickering torches lit the stairway up to 'guest chambers'. Informing that he would deliver a meal later, the man departed. Severus pulled out his wand, engaging charms to ward the rooms and ensure complete privacy. Finishing, he looked down at the Siamese and quipped, "The fees you paid merited a higher standard of luxury."

Transforming back into a young woman, Eris looked around and shrugged. "I'm up to the challenge." Stepping closer, she smiled. "The first thing I'll transfigure will be the bedding."

He reached out to cup her cheek. "Sheets like those at the inn where our first nights were spent would be pleasant."

She turned her head to kiss his palm. "It will be my pleasure."

-

Tom saw the faint smile induced by the memory and said, "So glad our fruitless searching amuses you." Breaking into a grin, he added, "I was tired of laughing at incompetents by myself."

"You will do better?"

"Of course. I'm from Yorkshire. We've got terrier qualities."

"I refuse to be likened to a dog." Severus wished he could refute his Yorkshire home and heritage as easily.

"You prefer being called a bat?"

Severus sneered at hearing one of a Gryffindor gang's favourite deprecations. "That's malevolent bat to you."

Tom laughed. "Same old Snape. Good to know you haven't changed. I'll have to visit more often."

"How long will you stay this time?"

"I leave tomorrow for Paris. Narcissa Black swears a new designer transfigures just like Eris did." He shrugged. "It's not any more farfetched than the other leads."

"Indeed."

Draining his glass, Tom stood. "I'm off to my room until dinner."

Epis hopped down and darted for the bed, leaping up to disappear behind the curtains. Severus rose and extended his hand. "Perhaps you would care for a game of wizard chess afterwards."

"As long as we're not wagering, Tyke…you're too damn good."

"And I was hoping to win another bottle of firewhisky."

Tom chuckled. "I brought one along in case apprenticeship was driving you to drink."

"Not yet," Severus said dryly, seeing his guest to the door. The moment his old roommate exited the quarters, he changed the ward and crossed swiftly to the bed. When he opened the curtains, his partner pressed close.

"I'm worried," said Eris. "Tom has the ability to reason coolly that Uncle Fenrir lacks."

He stroked her back in long, reassuring strokes. "He will find nothing and the Death Eaters will soon direct his attention to more pressing business."

They lay quietly for several minutes, until slender fingers began unbuttoning his shirt. "I'd like to re-direct your attention to the pressing business Tom so rudely interrupted."

Severus heard the quaver in the husky voice and read the mix of emotions in her eyes. He tipped her face up and brushed apart soft lips. A slow and gentle exploration of Eris' mouth and body gave the love and comfort she needed. After the arms wrapped around him relaxed and her eyelids drifted shut, he inwardly echoed her contented sigh and allowed his own eyes to close.

-

Dinner was interesting, to say the least. On the second night of residence, 'old Mordred' had invited Severus to dine and stated bluntly that he enjoyed solitude and his apprentice could either have a tray delivered or conjure his own meals.

Considering that the meat had been underdone and the vegetables overcooked into unpalatable mush, Severus had taken the latter option.

Pressing the roast beef, idly wondering if the amount of blood meant the meat was exceedingly fresh, he was grateful Eris had promised to keep a plate under stasis cover for him. Tom ate with apparent enjoyment, asking his host, "What's so special about the D-shape of the keep? Flying up, I saw people beside a Muggle vehicle pointing excitedly at it."

The strong jaw his nephew had inherited along with canny black eyes tightened. "You didn't hex them, did you? Aversion and illusion charms prevent the history-crazed from photographing or approaching the ruin they see, and I don't want Wizengamot types coming round, complaining the Muggle Minister is whining about losing tourist revenue again."

"Of course not." Tom looked at Severus and winked.

"Good. Now about the architecture," said Mordred, in the tone of one who had spoken the words many times, "the Welsh have always relied on cunning. Combining the more vulnerable designs of a tower and a rectangular keep, the curved exterior offers a wider field of fire while the flatter, interior space provides more spacious rooms."

Severus' eyes travelled to a stone carving of armed soldiers, lingering on the bow. Aside from some stained glass and a few tapestries, it was the only decorative element in the stronghold.

Noting the direction of his gaze, Ap Meurig chuckled. "The Welsh Long Bow won many a war, but I doubt either of you could draw it without the aid of magic."

Tom said, "You have any lying around?"

A boyish smile crossed the old wizard's face. "I do, Mr. Wilkes, and targets as well, if you and Mr. Snape would care to test your prowess after dinner."

-

Even with the aid of charms, archery was a greater challenge than Severus had anticipated. Inside the armoury, he and Tom envied the Welshman's smooth motions and struggled to release an arrow with even a fraction of the skill.

"Ha!" crowed Tom. "I hit a target!"

Severus arched a brow. "It was my target."

"So, I don't see you hitting anything. I bet you twenty galleons against that bottle of firewhisky you can't hit the target with your last arrow."

"Done." The confidence of Severus' tone belied the knots in his stomach. He cleared his mind and concentrated on performing the fluid motions his Master had demonstrated. Strangely, he imagined the castle under siege, his bow the only chance to take out the English lord who coveted his land…and his wife.

Thwack!

Blinking, he stared at the arrow embedded in the centre of the target.

"Never go against a Yorkshire man when firewhisky is on the line," Tom said with a rueful grin.

"You looked fierce, drawing back the bow. What were you thinking, when you released the arrow?" asked Mordred

"Nothing." The truth was too bizarre, and mostly likely due to toxic food. He had thought Twll din pob Sais! Cymru am byth! Down with the English! Wales forever!

-

Instead of playing chess, the young men accepted their host's challenge to play darts. Following several matches and a shared bottle of firewhisky, Severus bid the others goodnight and returned to his chambers. Once he opened the door, he realised that liquor on a empty stomach had predictable results. Smiling, he warded the door and went looking for food.

"Hungry?"

Nodding sheepishly, Severus took another bite of the food Eris had kept warm for him. "Starved. Gruffydd may be a decent retainer, but his cookery is shite." Her soft laughter made him grin. "Did I wake you?"

Eris sat in the chair across from his. "I was reading in bed. I can't go to sleep without you."

His smile widened as he sat, content to admire her sweet nature…and the cleavage revealed by the deep V of her robe.

Her lips curved. "Been drinking, have you?"

"However did you know?" He snickered.

She giggled. "I see your teeth when you smile."

Severus gave a bark of laughter. He finished dinner and lifted the brushing/flossing mint. "Making sure I eat no onions to utter sweet breath...or whatever the hell Shakespeare said?"

"Now I know you're drunk, if you're quoting a Muggle."

He crunched the mint and waggled his eyebrows. "A Slytherin uses any means to achieve his end."

"Which is?"

"To get you out of that robe and onto my lap."

"Oh."

How gratifying that he could still make her blush. Giving Eris the look she was most susceptible to, he quoted the eighteenth sonnet, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do sh…damn, I forget." Frowning, he decided that the bard causing him to trip over his tongue instead of speaking trippingly had inspired the literal meaning of 'Twll din pob Sais', an arsehole every Englishman.

Remembering one of the lines Mordred had claimed won many a fair maid, his lips turned upward again. "I learnt some Welsh tonight. Would you care to hear?" He took giggles as a yes and lowered his voice to utter silkily, "Pan dwi'n syllu ar dy lygaid, dwi'n gweld y lleuad a'r sêr."

"What does that mean?"

"When I look into your eyes I see the moon and the stars."

Her skin looked incredible in the firelight. He smiled as the girl on his lap twined her arms around his neck. Huskily, Severus repeated the one Welsh phrase Eris spoke flawlessly.

Rwy'n dy garu di! I love you!

-

After Tom's departure, the routine Mordred had established resumed. In the morning, Severus descended to the dungeon and assembled the ingredients for whatever potion the Master wished to brew that day. Eris often accompanied him in Animagus form, fetching vials and herbs from the storage cupboard as needed.

Later, Ap Meurig would enter and critique his preparations and subsequent potions making. By mid-afternoon, the apprentice was free to do research, experiments, and take his cat on long walks through the countryside.

Eris, when not roaming the castle or keeping him company in the dungeon as a cat, used a Disillusionment Charm to sneak down and visit the library. She performed her own experiments with Transfiguration, and their quarters had greatly benefited from her skill. He encouraged her to write the spells she invented or adapted down. In the future, perhaps her guide to practical transfiguration could be published.

On the day before Hallowe'en, the old wizard came late to the dungeon. Looking up from the medicinal potion he was brewing, Severus froze when Mordred said, "I will test your potion on the morrow. My nephew has come to visit!"

Pouring a ladle of solution into a flagon, the young man labelled it and began to clear away his workbench. The instant he restored order to the laboratory, he headed for the stairway.

In a corridor, he met Gruffydd, who smiled. "There's a tom in the kitchen that shows great interest in your little cat. Maybe they'll make a match. Been a long while since there was a litter of kittens roaming the keep."

Severus broke into a run. On the kitchen hearth, a large black cat was rubbing his cheek against a Siamese, who batted him playfully. In a dire voice, he ordered, "Epis, come!" Acting innocent as a newborn kitten, she padded over with an enquiring mew. He snatched her up with a narrowed gaze. She blinked her eyes at him.

The tom yowled, tail swishing, and then shifted and reformed into a wizard, who laughed. "Jealous over your…cat's…affections, are you?"

His lip curled. Rhydian Ap Meurig looked every bit as darkly handsome in person as he did on a Chocolate Frog Card, the bastard. Severus demanded, "Are you a registered Animagus?"

"No, and I'm not the only one who rebels against a corrupt Ministry." The meaningful look directed at the Siamese removed any faint doubt that the younger Ap Meurig wasn't fully aware of who he had been rubbing against.

Dark emotions tried to claw their way past Severus' rational mind. He resisted the urge to hex. "Does your uncle know?"

"No. He wishes only to be left alone to brew his potions. Mordred once said that a man can't tell what he doesn't know, so he doesn't ask." He smiled at the feline. "If he has any suspicions about sweet Epis, he won't ask about her either. It's better for him that way."

Severus was relieved, and yet…."If you came here hoping Eris would express her gratitude for your assistance other than in a word of thanks, you hoped in vain."

The man began to laugh quietly. "What exactly has she told you about her summer in Wales?"

Disconcerted by the man's reaction, he looked down. His partner was hiding her head in the crook of his arm. Severus replied, "I cared only to know the basic facts."

The outer door opened, bringing in a gust of chill wind and a woman in her thirties. Removing her cloak to expose a petite and pregnant body, she smoothed back long black hair and smiled. "You must be Mordred's apprentice. I'm Catrin Ap Meurig. I see you've already met my husband Rhys." While he stared in disbelief, she exclaimed, "Your cat is a Siamese? We're very fond of…." Dark eyes grew round. "Epis?" The feline lifted her head, purring. Catrin asked, "Why doesn't she transform?"

Severus' cheekbones felt hot. He answered stiffly, "Eris forgets to wear clothing."

The husband and wife exchanged amused smiles. "Here, she can borrow my cloak," the woman offered.

The younger man shook his head. "I'd rather she use my robes." There was no chance of skin showing that way. He set his partner down and began working on the fastenings.

"He thought I had dishonourable intentions toward our kitten, my love." Rhydian displayed unnaturally perfect teeth in a broad smile.

Catrin looked up from where she crouched to pet the cat. "Don't tease. He probably wouldn't allow her to explain, fearing she had some schoolgirl crush on a teacher." Scratching behind a triangular ear, she added, "And no doubt Eris enjoyed the benefits of his jealousy."

Severus' entire face felt warm, remembering some of the ways he had used to prove he was the better and only man for Eris. His partner meowed softly, trying to soften the sting of her omissions by making kitten eyes at him. Severus fought a smile, tossing his robes onto the sly puss. Let her worry for a moment. Later, she could make it up to him. He wanted another massage with the oil she had created along with a second batch of bubble bath.

After transforming, Eris hugged the other woman and kissed her former teacher's cheek. "I'm so happy to see you, my dear friends! How is the baby?"

"The midwitch tells us he's healthy, and should grow up to be a fine wizard." Seeing the young man's raised brow, Catrin explained in a voice suddenly and alarmingly choked with tears, "I feared he would be just a Squib, like me."

"Don't talk like that. You have more talent than half the girls at Hogwarts. None of them could create art like you do!" Eris told Severus, "The stained glass windows you've admired are Catrin's work."

"The Welsh have always been rich in culture and poor in funds," Rhydian said with a smile, walking over to put an arm around his wife.

"You have a gift. The windows are beautiful." Severus was only stating fact, but Eris smiled as if he had done something wonderful. If it earned him a sensual massage, he would refrain from enlightening her.

A rattling of the doorknob caused the older wizard to say, "I put a jinx on the door, but it won't last long. Transform, and we will speak again soon."

The man's wife said, "Yes, we'll visit frequently, and you can visit us, so we can get to know your partner, too."

Within moments, the girl had become a cat who meowed to be freed of a cocoon of black fabric. Severus lifted his robes, putting them on seconds before the door opened.

Mordred entered, chuckling. "You got me with that sticking charm, nephew, but I'll not be caught again, you prankster."

Leaving to allow the family privacy, Severus paused in the doorway to look back at the cat showing no signs of following. "Epis, come."

She slunk out, keeping a wide distance between them on the way back to his quarters. Inside their chamber, she darted for the lavatory. Eris came out tying the belt to his black robe. She knew how much he liked seeing her in gaping silk, the clever cat.

He said expressionlessly, "Ap Meurig is happily married."

She bit her lip. "I never said he wasn't." Brightly, she added, "How nice that we'll be here when the baby comes!"

"You knew full well that I was jealous."

She was giving him her kitten look. He crossed his arms. She sidled closer. Eris ducked her head and then looked up as if penitent, but her lips twitched. He had to press his own together to contain an answering smile. Removing a small vial from her pocket, she held it up. "Is there something I can do to make it up to you?"

He pursed his lips while taking the bottle. Removing the stopper, he sniffed, detecting Ylang ylang and sweet orange. Severus nodded. "If the essential oils will ease your anxiety and relax us both, I would be amenable to a mutual massage."

Slender fingers stroked his face. "There is no place in the world I would rather be than here with you. Rwy'n dy garu di."

He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "And I love you, Cariad."

-

A/N: Cariad means darling in Welsh, which is probably why Snape was more comfortable saying it, lol. Now, I know I said in the final chap of More than a Feeling (before I edited) that this would be a one shot sequel, but… What about Tom's investigation? Narcissa's wedding? Eris' grandfather is old…is she really never going to see him again? Will Catrin's baby have a cat at his naming ceremony? And what about Severus' courier duties for the Knights of Walpurgis? What dangers will he face? Would his path and James' ever cross? Will his mother expect him to return home for Christmas? How would Tobias treat his son's 'pet'? Questions, questions!

Because I'm truly grateful to the readers who take the time to encourage, I have to thank the fab folks who reviewed the final chap of 'Feeling' so far. ♥ 40/16 ♥ cupcakeswirl ♥ die Loreley ♥ ElspethBates ♥ Embellished ♥ FNP ♥ gothic-wildhorse ♥ GraceRichie♥ Machiavelli Jr ♥ Libeku Taganashi ♥ MamaLisa ♥ NazgulGirl ♥risi ♥Slipknot-3113♥ sunny9847 ♥ TheLastWerewolf ♥ and The Ravishing Enchantress ♥ Thank you so much!