A/N: This is a sequel to "Moonlit Memories", set 15 years after the epilogue of that story. You do not need to have read it to understand what it happening in this story. Also, in this universe, HBP and the things that happened in that book do not exist.
Severus Snape stood at the edge of the gravesite, the wind blowing his black robes around his tall thin frame. The black robes had always been a part of his persona, but now, more than ever, it was appropriate that he should be clothed in the color of mourning. He stared unseeingly as the headstone, wondering briefly how he had gotten here. His hands trembled as he clasped them together, trying to appear nonchalant as he stood at his wife's grave. Glancing up, his eyes narrowed as he focused on the words of the Headmaster.
"Serena Daniels Snape was an intelligent charming woman, whose mere presence alone could brighten any room. Her laughter and friendship will be dearly missed, particularly by those she left behind."
Albus Dumbledore's eyes swept to the three figures clothed in black standing at the edge of the grave. The distance between them belied the fact that they were all suffering a similar loss. Each one seemed lost in his or her own pain and sadness. Glancing over the large crowd of mourners, his spirit was buoyed by the outpouring of love and support from the staff and students alike. Losing a faculty member was never easy, but one as dearly loved as Serena, who was so vibrant and full of life, seemed especially difficult. Shaking his head, he breathed deeply before continuing.
"I am sure that we all have fond memories of Professor Snape that will guide us through the darkest moments. I, myself, am reminded of the moment she arrived here, nearly nineteen years ago, and of the way she and a certain Potions professor clashed on nearly every single matter."
Dumbledore saw Severus stiffen and sway slightly. He watched in concern as the man struggled to contain his emotions, and sighed silently as he succeeded. Dumbledore didn't mean to push, but he didn't want to see Severus revert to his old ways of bottling up his feelings and pretending that nothing was wrong. Serena had been the best thing to happen to Severus, but even she had not been able to break all of his old habits.
Clearing his throat, he continued. "However, as we all well know, that was merely a mask for how they truly felt. When Severus and Serena were married, I don't think I've ever seen two people happier. That is, until they were blessed with little Mesmordia, and a few years later, Sidney."
Dumbledore's inspection moved to the two figures next to Severus. Mesmordia's curly hair whipped around her face, her green eyes devoid of their usual sparkle and luster, her face as pale as her father's. She twisted her hands into the dark, black skirt and stood stiffly. At eighteen, she contained the grace and beauty of her mother, with the acerbic wit and moodiness of her father. Dumbledore remembered the day she had graduated from Hogwarts, less than two months ago, and how proud her mother had been. His gaze moved to Sidney, standing next to his sister, his hands shoved into his pockets, an angry look on his young face. Albus wondered how difficult it would be for him to navigate the trials of adolescence without his mother to guide him. How in Merlin's name was he going to help this family come together during this time of unspeakable tragedy? Pursing his lips together, he silently whispered a prayer asking Serena to help him prevent her family from splintering.
"Her tragic death was, and is, shocking and unimaginable. Yet, I have been assured by Minister Smythe that the Ministry will not rest until it determines exactly who was responsible for her death and to punish those involved to the full extent of the law."
Dumbledore watched a myriad of conflicting emotions on all three faces. Anger, grief, guilt, shame, rage, pity, and hate flew across the faces of her family at a dizzying speed, and he was unable to pinpoint which emotion matched which individual.
"She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. For as we all are aware, to know Serena, was to love her. And there is no one who could ever hope to take her place."
Dumbledore bowed his head and stepped away from the tombstone, feeling a sense of guilt. He had never expected to outlive any of his professors, let alone someone as young as Serena. He walked toward the mourning family, trying to think of something appropriate to say. Clasping Severus on the shoulder, he tried not to take it personally when Snape refused to meet his eyes.
"Thank you, Headmaster for the kind words you had to say," Severus said in a low voice.
"It was the truth, Severus, as we both well know. I am so sorry for your loss. If you ever want to talk, my door is always open."
Snape lifted his head and gazed at the man in disbelief. They both knew that the offer would never be utilized. Snape may have mellowed in the nineteen years he had been married, but he would never have shared his feelings with Albus.
Moving to stand in front of Mesmordia, he felt a slight sense of déjà vu. Again, a dark head was bent staring at the ground, refusing to meet his eyes. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug, hoping the tenseness would leave the young woman. When the body remained stiff and unyielding, he pulled back and rubbed her arms, feeling a sudden sadness. Serena would never see her daughter fall in love, get married, or hold her grandchildren in her arms. Blinking back the sudden tears, he made a rash decision.
"I want you to come visit me tomorrow, Mesmordia. I have something I would like to discuss with you."
The green lifeless eyes looked up at him and she simply nodded. Turning to Sidney, he was dismayed by the anger evident on his face. Dumbledore was struck by the resemblance to Severus. Every time he looked at Sidney, he wondered if he had stepped into the past and was dealing with the sulking Slytherin, rather than his look-alike offspring. The same dark eyes, which stared back at him in distaste, the same dark shoulder length hair, even the same hooked nose, all clearly pointing to Snape as his father. Though Sidney's normally quick smile and laugh were reminiscent of his mother. Today, however, neither of those traits was evident.
The boy took a step back as if challenging Dumbledore to just try to pull him into an embrace. Respecting the boy's need for distance, Albus merely nodded and gazed at him. Sidney was very close to his mother and in many ways would suffer more than Severus or Mesmordia. He was already going through a difficult time in his life. Being fourteen was definitely not an uncomplicated task and losing his mother was not going to make the transition from boy to young man any easier.
"Sidney, as I said to your father, if you ever need to talk, my door is always open."
Albus watched as the anger slipped to reveal a look of hurt and pain. Then just as suddenly, the anger returned and Sidney sneered at him, his lip curling in a mirror image of his father.
"If you think I am going to talk to you, you are crazier than I thought."
"Sidney!" his father barked, glaring at his son. "Remember to whom you are speaking."
Snape's dark eyes met his son's and Severus winced at the familiar expression that he saw there.
"I want you to apologize to the Headmaster at once," he said in a low voice, tinged with a warning.
Sidney lifted his chin and for a moment looked as though he would refuse his father's order.
"Sorry," he ground out.
Dumbledore nodded. "It's alright, Sidney, I understand."
He watched the boy flinch under his easy forgiveness.
Shoving his hands back into his pockets, Sidney stalked across the ground toward the huge castle. Snape watched in resignation, wondering how he was going to get through the next few years.
Albus sighed, "Don't worry, Severus. Things like this have a way of working themselves out."
Snape turned on him, anger blazing in his eyes. "Yes, because things sure have worked out well now, haven't they? My wife is murdered, my children are left motherless, and I despise the fact that I seem unable to control my emotions. Yes, things have a way of working out." Snape whirled and followed his son's path, stalking away from milling mourners and the choking cloud of sadness.
Albus rubbed his eyes and groaned. Well, he had certainly muddled that one. Walking toward the crowd, he started ushering them away from the gravesite and toward the castle. As the mourners entered the castle before him, he turned to look one last time at the grave. He was struck by the crumpled figure on the ground, weeping vigorously, her shoulders shaking. Like a true Snape, she had bottled her feelings up and released them only when alone. Sighing as he closed the door, he wondered if it was possible to break a genetic predisposition to emotional aloofness.
Please review and let me know what you think! It only takes a moment.
Also, I am taking a break from my other story "New Moon Rising". I apologize if you were reading it, but I am finding it a little difficult right now. So, I am planning on taking a step back and giving it some space. This story has taken up residence and I have to get it out.