AN:This is my first fanfiction and while I know where I'm going with this, the first chapter perhaps does leave a great deal hanging. I promise it'll make sense eventually. If anyone would like to beta for me, it would be much appreciated, but I hope I did a reasonable job in grabbing your attention anyway. Of course I own nothing and am immensly grateful for the honour of playing with the characters and world J.K. Rowling created. This story is very much AU in that Snape survives and I have a thorough dislike of the DH epilogue, so that shall be disregarded entirely. On with the show!
The owl's cry
Chapter 1: in which Severus meets Jane
"I'm so grateful you finally agreed to do this, Severus," Eloise Marson spoke in that familiar drawl that came with her French accent. He no longer tried to correct it but was vaguely proud that she at least stressed her speech in the right places when she used the Queen's English. Severus Snape acknowledged her thanks with a curt nod before he silkily replied. "I hope I have ingratiated you with the masses?" The potions master gestured to the room. A sizeable crowd of international colleagues, press representatives and donators were chattering away, mingling, discussing the lecture he had just given. Eloise smiled. "Don't you always?" She took his hand, gently pried his fingers open and made him accept the crystal goblet she was offering. " Do have some champagne, Severus. It's the proper stuff," she recommended. He grunted but took a tentative sip of the effervescent golden liquid before releasing an appreciative sigh. "I knew you'd like it," she beamed happily. He merely shrugged and she patted his arm in response. "I'm glad you're here," she confessed. "it's been too long and I've missed you." Her dark eyes hovered over his features, looking for something he wasn't willing to give and he straightened his back and cleared his throat. He knew she would recognise that behaviour for what it was: a cover-up for his increasing discomfort. He was grateful when she relinquished her scrutiny and continued her monologue." You'll understand we have some networking to do, of course? However, I simply must take a minute to gloat before I make more demands on you." The raven-haired woman tapped the champagne glass with her wedding band and the delicate rhythm of gold on crystal quickly caught the room's attention.
"Esteemed colleagues, guests, I'm sure you're all as impressed with the leaps Professor Snape has made in his research as I am, although, naturally, I may be slightly biased when it comes to his achievements," she smiled fondly towards the tall figure and the room chuckled in response. "Your lecture has been riveting and you've given us all something to think about. Perhaps in addition to your Order of Merlin, there shall be more awards to come. I hear whispers of the Crudo committee having been reassembled," she hinted, eyeing two elderly gentlemen in the back of the hall. As she unambiguously winked at them, Severus cringed. She wasn't very subtle at all. The seniors seemed to agree and pretended not to take any notice of Eloise's obvious courting. "And if that's the case, I for one can think of none more deserving of this prize." Eloise Marson was positively beaming now and raised her champagne. "To Professor Severus Snape and all his accomplishments, past and future," she toasted. The room rumbled in agreement, all raising their glasses. Eloise strode towards her guest of honour, now radiant with excitement. "I do hope you get it, Severus," she continued. Severus shrugged. "It is of no importance. I don't do my research for the sake of collecting awards." "Of course not, of course not," she rushed. "I didn't mean to suggest-" He waved his hand, dismissing her apology. "It's fine. I know you didn't." "Right then, I want to introduce you to some people," Eloise recovered and with a sigh Severus followed her into the crowd.
Three hours later, Severus couldn't remember how many people he'd met. Although, to be fair, it hadn't been all that bad. He was amongst peers, not his usual crowd of dunderheads, and he'd been able to have an intelligent exchange with several of them. There had been the usual platitudes, that was unavoidable, but in general the evening had inspired rather than depleted him. The shapely elegance that was the editor in chief of Potions Magiques slid towards him, still proudly glowing. "They are most impressed, Severus, thank you." She was genuinely grateful, he knew and he attempted a congenial smile. Eloise snorted. "That really doesn't become you. But thank you for trying," she added quickly. "I expect you'll want to escape now?" she offered. "Escape... maim..." he murmured but they both knew it wasn't in earnest. She chortled and pulled him in for a hug but before she could fully wrap her slender arms around him, something, or rather someone, behind him caught her attention.
"Oh Jane!" she exclaimed, releasing Severus from what he knew would've indubitably developed into a death grip. "Meet Jane, Severus," Eloise urged, pulling on his sleeve as she shot by him. Her hold on his sleeve made him spin round and his eyes fell on a short frail blonde woman. She was dressed demurely but professionally, in a grey boucle knee-length skirt and matching blazer and a simple white blouse. Her posture was tense and her features rigid. She looked frightened, he mused briefly as Eloise moved onto introductions. "Jane, this is professor Severus Snape. Potions master at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in Scotland. Severus, this is Jane. Jane's been my assistant for oh, how long now, dear?" she babbled. The impossibly thin figure didn't reply and seemed nailed to the floor. "Is it two years?" Eloise wondered aloud and the young woman snapped into action at last. "Four," she corrected. Her voice was low but clear but Severus detected the apprehension crackling in her throat. "Gracious me, that long? Now I feel old," Eloise gushed and Severus diverted his gaze from the assistant to Eloise.
She wasn't old. He was old. While they only differed 7 years in age, he was certainly much older in maturity and experience. Eloise was full of energy and life and undeniably beautiful. Her dark hair and carved features gave her an almost regal appeal and she'd developed that unmistakable French elegance that he couldn't help but admire. In some ways she reminded him of a more boisterous Narcissa Malfoy. Eloise hadn't known the war like he had and while peace had revitalised him, of course, he still looked well beyond his 43 years. He looked back towards Jane who was still stiff as a board.
"Jane is from England as well. Fled the war and that, didn't you dear?" Again the girl stayed mute and her unblinking eyes rested on his face. Something about her was... he couldn't quite put his finger on it but... "We mustn't speak of those dreadful times though, must we, Severus?" Eloise now turned back to him. "Indeed," he mumbled, his gaze now fixed on Jane. "Oh! Sorry, dears, monsieur Armitage wants a word and I must indulge him, I'm afraid. Big advertiser and that. Don't wander off, I want a word with you both, I won't be a moment!" she rambled before she flitted away, leaving Jane and Severus standing there, simply staring at each other.
Severus measured the girl up. Impossibly shy and clearly terrified. Very well, he would make an effort. "Four years, miss...?" he started and she replied automatically. "Williams, Jane Williams." " Pleasure, I'm sure, Miss Williams," he continued. "Now do tell," he queried, "how do you put up with her incessant yakking?" He quirked an eyebrow and waited for her to take the bait. "I..." The blonde hesitated but then appeared to pull herself together. "I don't, professor. I don't put up with it, as you put it. I enjoy working for her very much. Perhaps she is a bit... overwhelming," she said tactfully, "but she has been nothing but kind and encouraging towards me and I'm grateful for all the opportunities she has presented me with. And I do believe some gratitude is in order on your behalf as well, professor Snape. With all the exposure she is giving you, she's doing you a MASSIVE favour." He hadn't expected such fierce loyalty from the little mouse in front of him and for the briefest instant, he was speechless. "Goodnight, sir!" During that momentary loss of senses, Miss Williams turned on her heels and walked away, just like that.
"SEVERUS!" exclaimed Eloise behind him. "Please tell me you didn't... well.. of course you did. But not Jane, of all people?" Her exasperated sigh irritated him. "What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded. "Oh Severus, I knew you were bound to insult someone tonight, but surely not Jane! I was gone what, a minute? I thought your temper had... tempered!" she grumbled and he shrugged. "She was quite rude actually," he muttered but he knew Eloise well enough to be prepared for the scathing reply. "Quite rude? Jane hasn't got a rude hair on her head! What did you say to her?" She was pointing her delicate index finger at him and he held his tongue. "You must've said something!" Clearly, she wouldn't let up and he acquiesced. "I may have mentioned how exhausting you can be..." he spoke carefully and Eloise quirked an eyebrow at him, still not lowering that index finger that was now poking into his chest. "And?" she insisted. "She... was very defensive." Finally the prodding digit forsook his skin. "How is that quite rude? If anything, I ought to give her a bonus for her integrity." Severus shrugged again. "You oaf." she accused and he regretted the day he had taught her insults in his mother tongue.
Eloise patted his arm for the second time that night. "I really thought you might get along," she hummed and he waited for her to continue, reaching for a glass of something that was offered by the waiter passing them. He sipped it, exploring the taste of the orange drink. "Calvados," she readily clarified, "and mango juice. Probably not for you," she admitted and he allowed himself another shrug. "'s alright..." he mumbled but was already looking forward to the glass being empty. The stuff was sickly sweet and seemed to stick in his throat as he swallowed it. "You know, she's exceptionally talented, that girl." He waited again, politely. "She's worth her weight in gold," Eloise continued, "but I think her talents are lost on me. I hate to admit it, I don't want to lose her, you see, but she's wasting her time here." He frowned but still didn't speak. "She understands it, this stuff," she enunciated as she gestured the room much in the same way he had done earlier that night. "I'm not stupid and I have a good grasp on potions but my knowledge is... I do the PR, of course and I reel in the sponsorships but mainly I let the editors choose the publications. I'm not much more than a corrector with great contacts," she giggled. Severus frowned and knew she was underestimating herself. "I adore my work and I know it's just right for me. I couldn't do the research you do, I don't have the patience or the creativity it requires." He nodded, thinking he finally understood what she was getting at.
"I can tutor you, if you like," he offered but she quickly shook her head. "Goodness, no. Thank you but no thank you. I spend my days drowned in potions texts, I don't need MORE of it. Like I said, I have a fair understanding. I'm just not... passionate. No, that's not right. I am. But I'm passionate about sharing the work. I don't want to do it myself. Does that make sense?" She eyed him with confusion obvious on her face. "Perhaps not. It doesn't matter. I love my job. The thing is, Jane, she... I think there's a potions mistress in there somewhere, not a PA." He furrowed his brow. "She READS everything, Severus. Potions Magiques, yes, but Practical Potioneer, Potions Monthly, BREW, Die Zaubertrank Zeitung, La Pozione... She practically inhales the stuff. Severus..." she hesitated but he tilted his head patiently. "she reads more than my editors do. She questions them about the validity of the papers we publish. She demands they explain processes even I barely understand. She loves this stuff. And she's wasting away in my office keeping track of my schedule!"
"Perhaps she enjoys it," he countered. "She does. It's all colour-coded and interactive and what have you. She's the best assistant I've had. EVER. But she's capable of so much more!" she insisted and Severus Snape's lips narrowed into a fine line as it began to dawn on him. "I don't need your tutoring but Jane... Jane could be amazing under your guidance!" He'd already begun shaking his head when she made puppy dog eyes at him. "No," he dismissed. "definitely not. In all my years at Hogwarts I have never taken on an apprentice. I don't intend to now." Eloise put her hand on his arm once again. "Please, Severus. When do I ever ask anything of you?" His eyebrow shot up. "Other than all those times you want me to give these lectures or attend your fundraisers?" She grumbled quietly. "No means no, Eloise. I don't care how bloody talented you think she is. Find someone else." "But they won't take her. She hasn't got the NEWTs for it..." He groaned. This was getting worse by the minute. "No schooling? And you think I would take her on? Please, that IS insulting!" he spat out. "She would do well, I promise! She's exceptional!" "No," he said, his voice now even and hard.
Her eyes were practically begging him to reconsider. "Eloise..." he sighed. "Without the NEWTs I couldn't take her on if I wanted to. Minerva would never approve. Why are you even asking this of me?" "Because she would be superb. Because I want her to live to her full potential. Please just talk to her," she pleaded and he released a pained grunt. "Enough. I'm going to bed." Her head drooped. "See you at breakfast then," she said softly as he made his way to the floo. He muttered his destination -Marson residence- under his breath and then disappeared in the fireplace with a green poof.