A.N.: Dear Dolls, I am so sorry, that I am not posting regularly, but I have no other choice :( I'm so sad of it, but I have time only on weekends, because of the tough school now...it's terrible, I feel terrible, and I miss writing, but I can't do anything about it except write when I can and then post only at weekend, so please don't be upset, and don't worry, I am still here, but not as usual as I was :-) with love and kisses ZiZi hugs and ZiZi kisses xoxo
,,So from here you have that Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair !'' Severus cheered, sitting by the table in small kitchen, while Hetty was standing by stove, doing full English.
,,Yes…''
,,You called me true love already back then ? Why haven't you told me ?'' he asked standing up and walking to her.
,,I don't know, I thought of you and Lily, and…then happened that accident about slipping to Marauders' side. I'm so sorry for that, I should've told you,'' Hetty smiled at him, when he hugged from behind.
,,Don't bother about that,'' he leaned down to nuzzle his nose sensually against her neckline, making her tremble at the feel.
,,Severus…I'll spoil our breakfast,'' she let out bewildered breath through her nose, while her eyelids fluttered.
His lips sticking to her pulse point, sending another wave of shivers to run through her body, as his hands pulled her tightly to him. He brushed his lips over her neck below her earlobe whispering ,,I want to cherish you, I want to make up all those years I couldn't be with you.''
,,You will have enough of time, I swear,'' Hetty turned at him, smiling and gently stroking his cheek. ,,Now you will help me the most, if you sit over there, and stop distracting me, if you are hungry,'' giggling at him, she tiptoed and kissed lightly his lips, spotting his smirk, before he did as she said, sitting down to the dining table, taking her diary again.
She scratched the eggs off the pan on two plates, putting on pan bacon, and turning to him, watching him read quietly and smile.
,,Read aloud…it sounds so nice, when you spoke lines my heart once wrote…please,'' she begged, smiling at him, his eyes sparkled, when saw her so happy.
,,Today, for the first time,
For the first time, You took my hand,
Today, for the first time,
Touched a warm heart,
What a lucky girl.
Cause you opened your heart,
And you gave it to me,
So don't tell me that you don't love me,
So don't tell me that you don't need me.
You're the one,
You're the world,
My body needs warmth.
Today, for the first time,
I heard my heart stop as you flew away.
Sometimes I just fall and break,
Sometimes it just overflows,
I can't take no more.
Tonight, for the first time,
All the stars shine,
But you're the brightest one, my love…'' Severus willingly read, and Hetty felt happy, how tears swum in her eyes.
She bit her lip, closing her eyes, letting those droplets slid down her cheek, trying not to let him know, she was crying even though, it was from happiness, she whispered ,,What music.''
She heard him switching to another two pages, smiling, and paying attention to her bacon.
,,The summer sun went down on our love long ago,
But in my heart I feel the same old afterglow,
A Love So Beautiful,
In every way,
A Love So Beautiful,
We let it slip away…
We were too young to understand,
To ever know,
That lovers drift apart,
And that's the way love goes…
A Love So Beautiful,
A Love So Free,
A Love So Beautiful,
A Love For You And Me…
And when I think of you,
I fall in love again,
A Love So Beautiful,
In every way…'' Severus silenced, touched as he could feel all her pain she probably felt, when she left him, but still was thinking of him. It wasn't only him suffering. He smiled for himself at the words, looking at next page, and slightly furrowing his brows.
This poem, seemed to be more sophisticated than the others, and the writing was different, more mature, letters more elegant, and words more digging into his heart, as he start reading aloud.
,, Which way to the fountain of my youth I wonder,
Which way to the years I've let go by,
Let a thirsty woman drink in its memories while the water still flows sweet and crystal clear
For yesteryear...''
Hetty slightly stumbled, gripping tightly the handle of pan, while putting the bacon off it, and switching off the stove.
,, Give me back my innocence 'cos I wish to dream again,
Like I never outgrew my old playground,
Where the sun sets slowly with a golden crown and the leaves sing lullabies 'round vacant swings,
Give me those wings…'' Severus looked at her, how she was turned to him with her back.
,,This doesn't seem, to be one of your thoughts back then…'' he partly asked, and she nodded approval.
,,This was-'' she swallowed hardly, clearing her throat ,,-When Moody and Weasley brought me back, after the events in half way from France, and when I found out, what Deatheaters did to my parents…I was maybe already adult, but…I felt more alone, then ever before. Without single one member of my closest ones, I…I wished just to take Time-Turner, and go back to fix everything…but I was too weak, and something was telling me…there are certain things, I would not change, even if I had the chance to,'' she turned to him, eyes full of tears, and he knew this time, he had to let her cry.
Severus raised his hands for her, and she stepped to him, sitting in his lap, and collapsing to his open arms. Sobbing harshly, her face pressed to his black suit was getting red, and when he hugged her she felt safe. But she wanted to let it all out. Finally, when she had somebody, who understood, who would take it, and who supported her.
,,In so short time I've lost so much…grandmother…husband…children…parents….closest friend, but most of all…I've lost you…long ago, and I didn't want to admit it to myself, neither in front of you, and that is my weakness-''
,,-Shhh-stop babbling foolishnesses, you haven't lost me, believe me. And you never will. I will remain,'' Severus smiled at her, when she wiped her tears away, holding his chest, while he was hugging her.
,,You promise ?'' she sobbed, trying to calm her breath.
Sevy smiled, cupping her cheeks and kissing the tip of her nose ,,I swear on my life.'' Hugging her tightly to him again, that she finally relaxed herself, nodding.
He slowly petted her hair with one his hand, taking her opened diary, and finishing the lines he started.
,, Let me fly once again,
Like I did way back when,
I would gamble and win,
To lift me high above the din,
Of the future we see,
Does it hold something for me,
I'm weightless again,
Just before the shadows...
Fall like a leaf in the wind on the ocean,
Of black like your eyes in the twilight theater,
With symphonies playing in the world without sound,
We're given and denied…''
Hetty softly nuzzled to his set chest, looking at her diary.
,,You know what...perhaps I should take it with me, and write again. Now I have the real inspiration again,'' she smiled trailing his jaw with her fingertips.
,,What a brilliant idea,'' Severus smiled, happy, as she was happy again, looking at him as before.
,,Oh-you must be hungry ! Sorry, ehm-'' she rapidly jumped off his lap, that he didn't managed to even react, as she stepped to the plates, putting them both on the dining table ,,-time to eat some breakfast.''
Two plates, both with plenty of cherry tomatoes and fresh cheese, eggs, bacon, toasts, two kinds of ham, and yet Hetty brought two cups of tea.
,,Have I ever told you, what an angel you are ?'' he chuckled, when she finally sat down beside him, cheering.
After lovely breakfast, Hetty was packing the last few things into her suitcase when Severus hugged her from behind.
,,I need to get ready for leaving, Sevy,'' she smiled, petting his arm, wrapped around her waist.
,,We have still plenty of time,'' Severus teased, turning her to him slowly, and hugging her warmer.
,,But I promised to Fred and George, I will visit their store before the beginning of new school year, and today is my last chance to do it,'' Hetty explained, her hands rubbing his chest softly.
,,And where is their store ?''
,,Diagon Alley,'' she nodded, and Severus smiled.
,,That's great, you can leave your things by me then, and we can meet already in train, I will take your things for you,'' he leaned to her kissing gently.
,,Really ? You do travel by Hogwarts Express ?'' she furrowed her brows asking.
,,Sure I do…when I am too sick of flying of course. And we could have our own coupe just for you and me,'' his nose nuzzling to hers, she smiled.
,,Just as back then…reminding of old times,'' she sighed, dreamily closing her eyes.
,,Yes, exactly,'' waiting till she open her eyes again, so he could smile at her.
,,I can't wait, though,'' Hetty repaid his smile, pressing light kiss on his lips, before turning to her suitcase again. ,,But then you have to let me pack myself, so I can go with you to London, and sooner I'm done by Weasleys, sooner I am all yours for couple of hours on our way to Hogwarts,'' she put in her suitcase another shirt, turning to him and teasingly biting her lip.
,,Alright, shall I help you with anything ?'' Severus offering his helping hand.
,,Sure…give me those shoes over there-'' Hetty pointed into corner of the room when tapping on her window took over attention of both of them. They swiftly turned to Hetty's window, where Ministry owl was sitting on windowsill, patiently waiting, for them to open the window.
Hetty stepped to her large window, opening it and letting owl inside.
,,Ministry ? What Ministry would want from y-''
,,-Dolores,'' Hetty smirked at Severus, when he was surprisingly watching her, how she'd taken the letter, and put owl on her nightstand, where was prepared a tiny bowl with water, and another tiny bowl with some seeds.
,,Dolores ?'' Snape examined Hettie with suspicious look.
Hetty only smirked, when she pulled the letter open, and before she might start reading it, she quickly explained ,,Well at the end of last year, after Centaurs Incident , I was her probably only support, and she even apologized to me, and start being pleasant. I wasn't giving it too much chances, but when she wrote to me politely several times during summer holidays, I was quite pleased by her actions, and so…''
,,So you're friends now ? After all what she'd done to you ?'' Severus looked at her bit afraid now, when he hugged her arms.
,,Well, you would be surprised, how one terrifying experience can change one person…perhaps she's still such a bitch to others, but at least to me she's behaving with respect and…to be honest…I'm glad, she sticked to letters only…I would not want to meet her again, in Hogwarts or anywhere else, perhaps only for short moment. But letters are fine, she even sent me an Apology gifts, after the school year ended,'' Hetty slowly flew with her eyes over the words.
,,Then I'm glad, you're being careful,'' Severus smiled at Hetty, when she nodded. ,,And what gifts exactly ?''
Hetty laughed, showing her index finger like 'Come with me' while she walked out of bedroom, and into her study, Snape eagerly following her, she stepped to her conference table, opening one drawer, and pulling out quite big, dark blue quill, showing it to Severus.
,,It's specially modified quill, just for me. Of course I was suspicious about it at first, after my late experience with her sort of a quill, but after all I gave it a try, and it's special only in the fact, that I don't need ink, because it has formed-in stack of azure ink-my favorite shade of blue,'' Hetty grinned, watching over the quill she was holding.
,,I'm surprised,'' Severus admitted slowly.
,,So that's the first thing, the other was pair of blue high-heels, which are really pretty though, and then…'' Hetty put the quill on the table, slightly stumbling.
,,Then ?''
Her eyes twitched to Sev, before she grinned, walking back again into her bedroom, being bravely followed by him. She opened her nightstand, petting the owl, which was still obediently sitting there, rustling in one drawer, she pulled out little silken, pink sack. Turning to Severus and sitting on bed, just as he sat beside her opened suitcase.
,,This-'' Hetty pulled out from the sack tiny capsule, which was the very same color of the sack and wasn't bigger than Hetty's falang of her index finger, and had a big golden 'D' scratched in the middle ,,-is…ehm, well…'' she gave it to him, and rustled once again in the same drawer.
On the first feel it was made of some steel, because it wasn't feather-light sort of thing, the shape was interesting, as the color and the golden ornament.
Hetty finally found what she was looking for, taking already opened letter, and read aloud ,,Dear Hettie, As my friend, after events-bla-bla-bla-bla-bla…I decided to give you one of my favorite specialities, only I am using. It's a capsule I love to call Dollie's Relish. Since I am not able now to have some pleasure, I want at least you to have some. It's for internal use, so just insert when you're in mood and ready-to-go, and when you're done, it will slip off by itself. Advice : clean it after each time. I think you will fall in love with this little sweetie. Hope you will enjoy. Wish you good fun, your Dolores…''
Snape thoroughly examined the pink capsule and only after few moments dazedly uttered ,,So it's a sex toy ?''
,,Should be, by the description, and yes it's her invention, she's very inventioning,'' Hetty slowly nodded, looking at the capsule Severus had in between his fingers.
,,So you-'' he looked at Hetty, trying to find words.
,,Not yet…no I haven't tried it yet-'' Hetty laughed aloud ,,-but I am curious to try. Taking it in Hogwarts, so if you wish to assist me during my first try ?'' she gave him a cute giggle.
,,I am not sure, if I am for you to try it…maybe quill and high-heels are harmless, but this ? For internal use ? I'm afraid…''
,,Oh come on, don't be such a square, I told you, she's fine now, and what more, if she wanted me to suffer, she had a lot chances during sending me several of chocolates,'' Hetty looked at him seriously now.
,,We'll see,'' Snape uttered his final decision, and Hetty grinned.
Hetty stood at Number 93 Diagon Alley by ''Weasley's Wizard Wheezes'', gawking slightly at the empire Fred and George build from hers, and Harry's given money.
,,Well…boys gave it their best,'' she smirked for herself, looking at the big head which was representing one of the twins, slowly raising its hat and revealing white rabbit, before disappearing it again. This wasn't just store…this was a real big shop centre for all those wizards and witches who loves to have fun. Hetty shook laughingly her head, and finally walking inside, where the noise, and loud sounds of so many things was hanging thickly in the air.
On the first sight she could see lots of balloons, and several fireworks flying through the air, just around her head, she giggled. On the opposite side of her just something exploded with loud popping sound, and from the complete back of the shop was echoing very nice background music.
,,Step up ! Step up !'' Fred and George announced from the stairs, which Hetty only now registered, so the shop was continuing in upper floor, if not floors.
Her grin get wider, as she walked closer to the staircase to see and hear better both of Weasleys.
,,-And just in time for school…''
,,Puking Pastilles !'' twins cheered into the full shop.
Hetty smirked, announcing her presence to them by a chuckle in her sentence ,,Well those gave to Umbridge last year a very nice lecture !''
,,Hetty !'' both Fred and George cheered smilingly at her, rushing to her, and both hugging her at once, that she felt suddenly so small as she disappeared in their embraces.
,,I missed you boys, and I think I will miss you much more this year, since you won't be there,'' she whimpered slightly after looking up at them.
,,Then let's find something for you-''
,,-To not forget about us-''
,,-And to think of us more often,'' Fred with George winked, and with one swift grip on each her arm, they lead her across the shop.
,,I must say,'' Hetty tried to shout over all that noise, so her voice slightly high-pitched as she tried ,,that the wait all summer was worth it ! This is brilliant ! Well done !''
,,Well thank you !''
,,We told you, you gave your money in the right hands,'' George smiled even more, when they slowly walked over the shop. Both stopping by a boy who was just trying Puking Pastilles, and they both grinned wickedly. ,,Into the cauldron handsome !''
Then she suddenly heard that voice.
,,I will order ! I really hate children…''
Hetty turned all around her, and it took her a while until she realized these two sentences were repeating in loop, and the voice was coming right from above her. She looked up, spotting a little pink figure, dummy, circling on unicycle and yelping all around her still the same sentence ,,I really hate children…I will have order !''
Hetty couldn't deny a laugher which bubbled up her throat at the sight, and the thought if Dolores might see this by herself, she would strangle both Weasleys at once by a single squeeze of her tiny hand with her stubby fingers.
,,Whose idea was this ?'' Henrietta, still laughing, asked boys, pointing above her, at the yelling dummy.
,,Actually…somehow both,'' Fred nodded. ,,You like it ?''
,,Yeah, it's so hilarious…but I want something, that I will cherish, no matter what is shall be from your shop, but something that will tell me, 'from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes','' Hetty calmed down her laughing, but the grin couldn't get off her face a long after her last glance up.
She stepped to a shelf, where was tiny birdcage, and there were several of Pygmy Puffs, she moaned all of a sudden, surprising both of Weasleys.
,,I think I found what I want…'' Hetty laughed again, looking at all the Pygmy Puffs.
,,Yeah, they are really popular !'' Fred chuckled.
,,True, we have troubles to breed them fast enough for the demand…but we received today just fresh batch from Prussian today,'' George announced, showing her the second birdcage, where the Prussian blue Pygmy Puffs were jumping all over the cage, or just resting, letting out sort of giggling-content noises.
,,I want this one ! Owww !'' Hetty curled her lip in cute smile, when she pointed at one Prussian blue Pygmy Puff, which was glued to the edge of the base of cage, seeming calm, and looking straight at her with his two big dark blue eyes, almost really saying 'Take me, please !'
,,Alright, your wish is our command,'' Fred smiled pleasantly, opening cage, and carefully pulling out the right one, swiftly closing cage again.
,,One Prussian Pygmy Puff-girl just for you,'' George smiled nodding.
,,I will name her…Puffie..okay I'm acting girlish-'' she laughed once again, but holding such sweet creature, which immediately nuzzled to her, she couldn't help herself and nuzzle back to it.
,,How much for her ?'' Hetty eagerly looked up at boys.
,,Are you kidding ?'' Fred yelped.
,,You gave us money to start !'' George added.
,,Yes, you don't need to pay for anything here !'' Fred wildly shook with his head.
,,Like really ?'' Hetty looked suspiciously at them.
,,Sure !'' they echoed once voice.
She smiled, looking at Puffie and then at them ,,Alright, then thank you very much.''
She smiled nuzzling to her blue beauty, she giggled yet hearing Dolores above her, she suddenly realized…she wanted to somehow repay all the gifts and chocolates she received from Dolores during the summer. And buying her a-taking…taking Pygmy Puff for Dolores, wasn't the option she was looking for…
,,Boys ?'' she swiftly turned to find them talking with Ginny.
,,Yes ?'' they smiled at her.
,,Do you have something pink, except the Pygmy Puffs ?'' she smiled, petting the little creature in her hand.
,,Of course,'' Fred nodded, taking her a bit aside from the noise, and showing her several of boxes of Penelope's Purple Pussy Cats.
,,That's it !'' Hettie cheered, when she saw between all those purple boxes two pink.
,,You want a pink kitten ?'' George frowned with smirk.
,,It's not exactly for me,'' Hetty nodded, and Fred and George were able to put two and two together.
,,Are you going to send them to Umbridge ?'' they laughed at once.
,,Sure…she has changed a bit since the end of the last year. And she was communicating with me whole summer, but that's not the point, why I want to send it to her…'' Hetty grinned.
,,And what's the point then ?'' Fred asked slowly, with George gazing at her.
,,Well, can you imagine a pink kitten –a real kitten- playing with her pink high-heels in inappropriate moments, while having consultations in Ministry, or tearing her dress, or chewing at the papers ?'' Hetty chuckled, making Fred and George laugh too.
,,Yes, that would be completely priceless to look at,'' Fred admitted.
,,You are still a bit against her, even when she'd changed, right ?'' George swiftly asked additionally.
,,Sure, still I remember on the scar on the back of my hand boys, let this cute little pink kitten leave some scars on her too, can't I make this ? For fun ? Yes..poor kitten, though, but I'm sure, she will not throw it away,'' Hetty smiled, looking at the kitten in box and leaning down petting it slowly.
,,Sure !'' Fred nodded, smiling.
,,So only one ? Don't you want two ?'' George asked assuring.
,,Just one, right kitty ?'' Hetty smiled at kitten, and then taking the box.
On her way out of the store she met Harry, Ron and Hermione. She said goodbye and all her thanks to George and Fred, before joining the trio.
,,How's Fred and George doing it ? Half the Alley's closed down...'' Hermione couldn't belive, that Weasleys shop was opened and prospering.
,,Fred reckons people need a laugh these days,'' Ron approvingly noted, and Harry nodded.
,,I reckon he's right,'' he smiled.
Hetty nodded, holding protectively Puffie, and box with pink kitten ,,Something's about it. Oh no...look-''
,,-Everyone got their wands from Ollivander's !'' Hermione sighed, when all four of them spotted Ollivander's store, completely broken, and plundered.
They slowly stepped in, not worrying about any danger, since they had at least one professor by their side. Walking across the shop, they could see several broken furniture, all wands gone, and windows shattered. The bright place Hetty once used to know, as a little girl when she was eleven and her wand chose her, was now gone, and darkness with shadows landed on its shelves.
Puffie frightened nuzzled to Hetty's forearm, and pink kitten in the box let out some tiny 'meow' indicating fear, and discomfort.
,,Harry ?'' Ron suddenly inquired, looking dully out of the window. Catching attention of all three, Hermione with Harry and Hetty slowly stepped to him. ,,Is it me, or Draco and Mummy look like two people, who don't want to be followed ?''
They all spotted Draco Malfoy with Narcissa, looking around themselves, if they had been seen, before swiftly walking into one dark street.
When Hetty looked in Harry's eyes, she knew she won't stop him, because she already could recognize such glance in his eyes.
,,Be careful,'' she hugged him, when they stepped out of the shop again, petting briefly his hair.
,,I will Hetty, see you on the platform,'' Harry approved, already turning to dark street, and walking behind Ron and Hermione.
Hetty watched them, before they disappeared behind the corner, biting her own lip, to calm down her worries, she exhaled, and rather walked across Diagon Alley, and towards platform nine and three quarters.