Two small spots of light stood in isolation, balancing like ice figures on the coffee table, reflected out of a pair of spectacles that one perched on the bridge of Severus' nose now rested unused. Rather than forgetting to bring a pair he had resigned to leaving one behind, so he was never without the ability to delve into one of the dusty tomes Hermione had somehow foraged from the back of antique bookstore in the middle of nowhere. These were not the only items that Severus Snape had left behind, on the cloak stand hung a large black coat, to be worn for their frequent walks out upon the moors, similarly there was a chocolate woollen jumper that tended to lay draped across an armchair or find itself being worn by a Miss Hermione Granger. Along the kitchen windowsill lay several small pots, each with its own unusual plant, as Hermione had been told oxygenated the room, provided a cleansing of the aura of her home, imbuing the air with calming properties. As well as the lavender that was tied above the door, charmed to never fade in scent not colour she inhaled each time she walked past. There was also now an extra mug left by the sink, or the kettle, or the coffee table, or outside in the sunshine, wherever they had decided to take tea that day. If the lingering stray black hairs found around the house were not enough, anyone should find his presence given away by the gift he had presented her with shortly after their first fight. Whilst she had been content with an apology, he had struggled to reconcile her forgiveness with his own shame and guilt. The tea pot was ebony and jade, carved with depictions of eastern serpents that encircled the pot, their scales keeping the outside cool and insulating the hot tea within.
Her fingers stroked along its surface, trailing finally across cool tiles and coming to rest on her beloved copy of pride and prejudice, the note signed S.S hidden inside, like a secret that was hers to keep. One day, she knew they would come, and that this sanctuary, this haven would be discovered. But she now felt far too fond of the little trinkets that had gathered here in this nest to hide them. In due course so would let them see, peer into this little word that they had created, but for now she resolved to just enjoy the silence and the peace of it all quiet, alone but not at all lonely.