Prologue:
I am many things, Albus. I wear many titles, I am called many things. Shall I repeat them now, in a list, to ease in remembering? After all, it has been too long since we last spoke.
I am a woman.
I am a witch.
I am strong.
I am powerful.
I am known for my temper.
I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I am the long-estranged wife of Severus Snape
I am prey for Death Eaters who still reel at my escape from my husband, who had been ordered to kill me.
I am the wise bumblebee, so long foretold in the prophecy.
I am the long-lost granddaughter of Aberforth Dumbledore.
I am the long-lost great neice of Albus Dumbledore.
I am to be sacrificed for the Plan.
I am frightened.
I am scared.
I am due to arrive at Hogwarts' doorstep in thirty seconds time.
======================================================= Chapter 1:
The echo from my knock resounds loudly on the door to the Great Hall. Slowly, the doors swing open. My breath catches in my throat. Severus has answered the door. We have not set eyes upon one another since our wedding night, the night I was forced to flee. He is standing there, clad only in a slightly worn gray nightshirt, and I wonder whether he happened to be passing by when my knock came, or if he is still such a light sleeper as to awaken and arise that quickly.
The hall is empty, as is most of Hogwarts. The winter holidays were always a pleasant respite in the middle of the school year, I remember Albus saying to me once, a very long time ago, when we were still friends, and I would come to share a cup of hot chocolate with him.
Severus stares uncomprehendingly at me, unwilling to believe what is right in front of his eyes. I cannot blame him. His wife of eighteen years exactly, for today is our wedding anniversary, whom he has not seen in 17 years and 354 days, has suddenly appeared on the doorstep to his school.
Finally, he blinks and shakes his head. Convinced I am truly here, he breaks the heavy silence of the Great Hall. "I am certain the Headmaster is awaiting your arrival."
So cold, Severus. Much colder than I expected. He had not known of my arrival, and yet now, when confronted with it, he forced down any possible emotion from my appearance and sorted out why I would be here. And so, not saying a word, I left him in the great hall, without so much as a nod in his direction to acknowledge I had heard him.
I walked along the corridor towards Albus's griffen, not feeling much after having been confronted with a man whose mere presence in a room had once reduced me to girlish giggles and furtive glances. I am most likely the only person in the entire world to have that reaction to Severus Snape. He has never been one for inciting a pleasurable response from people. Yet to me he was wonderful.
Do you remember the first time we met, Albus? It was he who introduced us. I had not, at Albus's request, attended Hogwarts, though my grandfather was devastated. Mother and Father could not have been more indifferent, both being squibs themselves. But now, Grandfather, for one of the few moments in his life, was as frightening as Albus. He swore emphatically that the heir of the Dumbledores should enter Hogwarts proud and head held high, proclaiming to the world her heritage.
Albus denied him. He said it could not be. I would be tormented and mistrusted for my last name. And even if we kept the false surname I had held my entire life, students would figure it out--Albus was a far too doting uncle. And so, Bena Hummell, the wise bumblebee, the youngest of the Dumbledores, was sent off to America, away from her resentful parents, and manipulative uncle.
To the Salem Institute I went. And I excelled. I was named top of class in every subject. Every subject except that which I knew Albus wanted me to do well at. Transfiguration. That I did on purpose. Though I was not told initially the reason for my exile, I assumed it had something to do with my great-uncle.
And yet I am brilliant at it. I am a Dumbledore, am I not?
But I have strayed. The first time Severus and I met was the afternoon he finished his proper schooling at Hogwarts. Albus and I were walking in Hogsmeade. I had one year left at Salem, but, as was tradition, I was spending the summer with him. A number of students, most of them seventh years, were touring the streets. It was one week until the Leavetaking Feast. NEWTS and OWL and final exams had just been sat and, thrilled at being done, the students were frolicking in the streets.
There, a third of a way done the main street, stood a group of dark looking teenagers, all of them dressed in black robes with the Slytherin house crest. They all looked up at Albus with one motion. His hand clenched mine tightly. At the time I did not understand. Albus was their Headmaster, why should he be frightened of them? It took me several months reflection to understand.
Albus knew what they were. What they were going to become. He had failed them. They had turned from him and were seeking the power and seduction of the Dark Arts. But there was one, in the middle of the group, whose eyes faltered for a moment when he returned their hard stare. A young man, with shoulder length black hair, which, even from that far distance appeared greasy, and an over-large Roman nose, shielded his hawk-like eyes to stare out at Albus.
He noticed me as well. I saw his eyes look at me appraisingly. It was the first time in my life I remember feeling someone looking at me. I enjoyed it. I saw the attraction in his eyes. And I enjoyed it. I smiled shyly back, knowing even as my mouth curved upwards that smiling would do nothing to entice him.
But it did. He cocked his head slightly to the side and gave an imperceptible nod. By this time, our amble down the dusty road had brought us even with them. We rounded on them, and they, one by one, dropped their staring contest with their headmaster. The dark haired boy, though, did not.
Albus noticed it, and frowned. But, determined to keep up the well- cultivated persona of a softly dotty Headmaster, he instead introduced me. "Gentlemen, congratulations on finishing your exams. You have earned the rest. May I introduce a family friend, Bena Hummell."
Again, denied my heritage. But I dutifully bowed my head. Not one of them murmered a response to you. Finally, the dark haired boy with the big nose stepped forward and held out his hand. My head jerked up suddenly and into his face. It was not a kind face. Even at seventeen there were harsh lines drawn upon it, scowl marks, frown lines. I smiled so that it covered my whole face, and I mentally berated myself for acting like a twelve year old, rather than the sophisticated lady I assumed myself to be.
I held out my hand as well, but rather than grasp it in a handshake, he raised it slowly to his lips, brushing them softly against my sensitive skin. I gasped audibly, and the other boys snickered.
I glanced to my uncle, his mouth one small line, unsure of how to proceed. The boy finally left my hand drop and lifted his gaze to my eyes. "Severus Snape." he said simply.
I swallowed hard. "Pleasure to meet you." I choked out. The boys snickered again.
Albus grabbed my elbow and we continued up the street, me rubbing my hand where it still burned from his light kiss, not daring a look back, for anger was evident on his face.
Pulled out of my reverie, I find myself standing directly in front of the Headmaster's griffen. I whisper the password and the familiar staircase appears. I dutifully step on and am carried to Albus' hallway. There is light cutting across the worn flagstones from under the door.
Knocking lightly, I hear Albus's tired voice say, "Enter, my child."
=============================================================== A/N 1: Bena is Hebrew for 'wise'. Hummell is German for 'bumblebee'. Dumbledore is Old English for 'bumblebee.
A/N 2: Ormana (Snape) is the feminine of the Nordic word for 'serpent'. Septimus is taken from Lucius Septimius Severus, an imperial contender, who fought with the Governor of Britain Albinus against the Roman Empire. (this is taken from the HP clue book by Galadriel Waters)
A/N 3: I'm a linguist (insert 'nerd'), so things like names and word origins fascinate me. can laugh now.
I am many things, Albus. I wear many titles, I am called many things. Shall I repeat them now, in a list, to ease in remembering? After all, it has been too long since we last spoke.
I am a woman.
I am a witch.
I am strong.
I am powerful.
I am known for my temper.
I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I am the long-estranged wife of Severus Snape
I am prey for Death Eaters who still reel at my escape from my husband, who had been ordered to kill me.
I am the wise bumblebee, so long foretold in the prophecy.
I am the long-lost granddaughter of Aberforth Dumbledore.
I am the long-lost great neice of Albus Dumbledore.
I am to be sacrificed for the Plan.
I am frightened.
I am scared.
I am due to arrive at Hogwarts' doorstep in thirty seconds time.
======================================================= Chapter 1:
The echo from my knock resounds loudly on the door to the Great Hall. Slowly, the doors swing open. My breath catches in my throat. Severus has answered the door. We have not set eyes upon one another since our wedding night, the night I was forced to flee. He is standing there, clad only in a slightly worn gray nightshirt, and I wonder whether he happened to be passing by when my knock came, or if he is still such a light sleeper as to awaken and arise that quickly.
The hall is empty, as is most of Hogwarts. The winter holidays were always a pleasant respite in the middle of the school year, I remember Albus saying to me once, a very long time ago, when we were still friends, and I would come to share a cup of hot chocolate with him.
Severus stares uncomprehendingly at me, unwilling to believe what is right in front of his eyes. I cannot blame him. His wife of eighteen years exactly, for today is our wedding anniversary, whom he has not seen in 17 years and 354 days, has suddenly appeared on the doorstep to his school.
Finally, he blinks and shakes his head. Convinced I am truly here, he breaks the heavy silence of the Great Hall. "I am certain the Headmaster is awaiting your arrival."
So cold, Severus. Much colder than I expected. He had not known of my arrival, and yet now, when confronted with it, he forced down any possible emotion from my appearance and sorted out why I would be here. And so, not saying a word, I left him in the great hall, without so much as a nod in his direction to acknowledge I had heard him.
I walked along the corridor towards Albus's griffen, not feeling much after having been confronted with a man whose mere presence in a room had once reduced me to girlish giggles and furtive glances. I am most likely the only person in the entire world to have that reaction to Severus Snape. He has never been one for inciting a pleasurable response from people. Yet to me he was wonderful.
Do you remember the first time we met, Albus? It was he who introduced us. I had not, at Albus's request, attended Hogwarts, though my grandfather was devastated. Mother and Father could not have been more indifferent, both being squibs themselves. But now, Grandfather, for one of the few moments in his life, was as frightening as Albus. He swore emphatically that the heir of the Dumbledores should enter Hogwarts proud and head held high, proclaiming to the world her heritage.
Albus denied him. He said it could not be. I would be tormented and mistrusted for my last name. And even if we kept the false surname I had held my entire life, students would figure it out--Albus was a far too doting uncle. And so, Bena Hummell, the wise bumblebee, the youngest of the Dumbledores, was sent off to America, away from her resentful parents, and manipulative uncle.
To the Salem Institute I went. And I excelled. I was named top of class in every subject. Every subject except that which I knew Albus wanted me to do well at. Transfiguration. That I did on purpose. Though I was not told initially the reason for my exile, I assumed it had something to do with my great-uncle.
And yet I am brilliant at it. I am a Dumbledore, am I not?
But I have strayed. The first time Severus and I met was the afternoon he finished his proper schooling at Hogwarts. Albus and I were walking in Hogsmeade. I had one year left at Salem, but, as was tradition, I was spending the summer with him. A number of students, most of them seventh years, were touring the streets. It was one week until the Leavetaking Feast. NEWTS and OWL and final exams had just been sat and, thrilled at being done, the students were frolicking in the streets.
There, a third of a way done the main street, stood a group of dark looking teenagers, all of them dressed in black robes with the Slytherin house crest. They all looked up at Albus with one motion. His hand clenched mine tightly. At the time I did not understand. Albus was their Headmaster, why should he be frightened of them? It took me several months reflection to understand.
Albus knew what they were. What they were going to become. He had failed them. They had turned from him and were seeking the power and seduction of the Dark Arts. But there was one, in the middle of the group, whose eyes faltered for a moment when he returned their hard stare. A young man, with shoulder length black hair, which, even from that far distance appeared greasy, and an over-large Roman nose, shielded his hawk-like eyes to stare out at Albus.
He noticed me as well. I saw his eyes look at me appraisingly. It was the first time in my life I remember feeling someone looking at me. I enjoyed it. I saw the attraction in his eyes. And I enjoyed it. I smiled shyly back, knowing even as my mouth curved upwards that smiling would do nothing to entice him.
But it did. He cocked his head slightly to the side and gave an imperceptible nod. By this time, our amble down the dusty road had brought us even with them. We rounded on them, and they, one by one, dropped their staring contest with their headmaster. The dark haired boy, though, did not.
Albus noticed it, and frowned. But, determined to keep up the well- cultivated persona of a softly dotty Headmaster, he instead introduced me. "Gentlemen, congratulations on finishing your exams. You have earned the rest. May I introduce a family friend, Bena Hummell."
Again, denied my heritage. But I dutifully bowed my head. Not one of them murmered a response to you. Finally, the dark haired boy with the big nose stepped forward and held out his hand. My head jerked up suddenly and into his face. It was not a kind face. Even at seventeen there were harsh lines drawn upon it, scowl marks, frown lines. I smiled so that it covered my whole face, and I mentally berated myself for acting like a twelve year old, rather than the sophisticated lady I assumed myself to be.
I held out my hand as well, but rather than grasp it in a handshake, he raised it slowly to his lips, brushing them softly against my sensitive skin. I gasped audibly, and the other boys snickered.
I glanced to my uncle, his mouth one small line, unsure of how to proceed. The boy finally left my hand drop and lifted his gaze to my eyes. "Severus Snape." he said simply.
I swallowed hard. "Pleasure to meet you." I choked out. The boys snickered again.
Albus grabbed my elbow and we continued up the street, me rubbing my hand where it still burned from his light kiss, not daring a look back, for anger was evident on his face.
Pulled out of my reverie, I find myself standing directly in front of the Headmaster's griffen. I whisper the password and the familiar staircase appears. I dutifully step on and am carried to Albus' hallway. There is light cutting across the worn flagstones from under the door.
Knocking lightly, I hear Albus's tired voice say, "Enter, my child."
=============================================================== A/N 1: Bena is Hebrew for 'wise'. Hummell is German for 'bumblebee'. Dumbledore is Old English for 'bumblebee.
A/N 2: Ormana (Snape) is the feminine of the Nordic word for 'serpent'. Septimus is taken from Lucius Septimius Severus, an imperial contender, who fought with the Governor of Britain Albinus against the Roman Empire. (this is taken from the HP clue book by Galadriel Waters)
A/N 3: I'm a linguist (insert 'nerd'), so things like names and word origins fascinate me. can laugh now.