Severus woke up before me the next morning. I got dressed and headed downstairs to find that he had made breakfast. He sat at the table, reading the paper and drinking his tea. He looked up from his paper and nodded at me.

"Morning." he said, looking back to his paper.

I sat down and ate. Christmas was getting closer and I knew I'd have a lot of things to get done. There was the cooking, the cleaning, the planning-

"So, what's on your agenda today?" he asked, suddenly.

I sipped my tea. "Christmas is on my agenda."

"But, it's four days away."

"And, they will be four days of total madness. There's much to prepare."

"Can't you just wait one more day?" he asked.

I shook my head. "No more breaks, Severus. I have-"

He put his newspaper onto the table and stood up. He came in front of me and took both my hands in his.

"Alright. But, please, just let us spend a few minutes together this morning."

I pursed my lips. "Just a few minutes."

He slightly smiled and we apparated to our backyard. He told me to lay in the grass with him. We looked up at the bright sky. His hand reached for mine and he held it tightly.

"Did I ever tell you that Mr. Weasley helped me pay for the house to be built?" he asked.

I turned my head towards him. "He did?"

"Well, he actually asked if he could help pay for it. Nearly begged me."

I smiled. "That certainly sounds like something he would do. He's sort of a father to me. Very generous of him to offer."

Severus turned to look at me and I gave him a small smile.

"I purchased a pensieve not too long ago."

I sat up. "Really? I've actually been wanting to buy one."

"I wanted to show you something."

"You're scaring me, Severus. What is it?" I asked.

"You don't have anything to fear. It's just a memory I want to show you."

We entered the house and upstairs to his study. He opened a drawer and took out the Pensieve. It levitated between us as he took out a vial.

"Just watch." he said, pouring the liquid from the vial into the Pensieve.

I took a deep breath and watched as the memory unfolded.

"We've received a letter." Tobias Snape said, holding the letter.

"For who?" Eileen Snape asked.

"It's for Severus. He's been accepted to some wizarding school."

Eileen said nothing.

"Let me guess...you're pleased. Now, he can see several other freaks like him."

Eileen shook her head in fear. "No. No, that's not what I-"

"SEVERUS!"

Severus rushed downstairs and he noticed the letter in his father's hand. Young Severus had greasy, long hair and the same clothes he wore at home.

"You've been accepted into a school of wizardry. How do you feel about that? Happy?" Tobias asked.

Severus didn't answer.

"You're going to learn how to ride a broom. Isn't that magical?"

Tobias turned to Eileen and threw the letter at her face. She shut her eyes and said nothing.

"I bet you contacted that school. I bet this is all your doing!" he shouted.

He grabbed Eileen and thrusted her against the wall. Instinctively, Severus ran to his room and slammed the door. He covered his ears and cried. His mother's cries echoed through the halls of the house.

I pulled away from the Pensieve in a gasp. My heart raced and I could feel its beat in my head.

"Interesting man, my father." Severus said.

"Was that a common thing?" I asked.

He nodded. "It was almost a routine."

I swallowed. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. I'll soon be rid of the memory."

I grimaced.

"I'm going to erase it from my head." he explained.

Any other person might've encouraged the idea, but I gave it a second thought. Severus noticed my hesitation.

"You disagree with my decision?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I know how you feel. My father was hard on my mother at times. It hurt me to see it. I would give anything to forget about it and remove the images from my head."

"But?"

"The memories are part of who I am."

He scoffed. "Oh, Arabella, don't get sentimental on me."

"No, Severus, I'm not. I'm just telling you the truth. What happened between your parents wasn't your fault. You know it. But, to completely rid the memories from existence feels wrong. They made you the man that you are now."

"I'm a selfish and lost human being."

"But, you're much more. You're brave, loyal, and true."

He turned his gaze from me and sighed. I could see he was trembling a bit. He tried to cover it up by clearing his throat. I stepped in front of him and held his face in my hands.

"You're letting this haunt you. Conquer it."

He swallowed. "I'm trying to."

"You won't be alone. You helped me once, now I'm helping you."

"I feel like a complete coward."

"Everyone needs help once in a while. We all struggle with something. Those wise enough will take help when it's offered."

"Forgive me."

I held him close that entire time. I could only wonder if anyone besides me had ever held him so tightly.

Christmas day came along quickly. I was working in the kitchen for hours. We were spending Christmas together and everything was running smoothly. We changed into our best clothes and sat down at the table.

A knock at the door made us pause.

"Who could that be?" Severus asked.

"I'll get it." I said.

I opened the door and let out a small gasp. Richard Snyder was there with a young woman. Her hair was short and black. Her eyes were brown and she wore a long blue coat. Richard wore a red coat with a scarf. He greeted me with a smile.

"Hello, Arabella. Sorry that we arrived so late." he said.

"Richard, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"We got your owl saying that you invited us for Christmas dinner."

I grimaced. "Richard...I never sent you a letter."

He looked confused. "Well, we got one from you. Look."

He took out a paper and gave it to me. I read it and shook my head.

"I didn't write this. Maybe-"

"Everything alright, Arabella?" Severus asked, standing beside me.

Richard's eyes widened. "You...y-you're Severus-"

I cringed. Severus only liked to be called his first name by people he respected. Richard noticed me cringe and started over.

"You're Professor Snape. Forgive me, but I never-"

"Richard. Can I have a word?" I asked.

We walked a few feet from the house and I cleared my throat.

"I think you should leave."

"What? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude on your privacy. It's just-"

"No, you've done nothing wrong. It's just that, well, Severus isn't very comfortable with...people."

"Maybe if I explained-"

"She has already heard your explanation and, from what I've heard, she didn't receive an owl from you." Severus said, appearing beside me.

Richard swallowed. "Y-Yes, I know she didn't. I believe her, but-"

"Then, your next move is clear. She requests that you leave. You have no business here."

Richard put his guard down. "If you say so."

"I do." Severus frowned.

Richard frowned back. "Sorry."

"You should be."

"I am."

"Good."

"Okay."

"Richard. Thank you for...dropping by. See you back at Hogwarts."

He nodded and reached his hand out to the woman he brought with him. "Come, Mary."

She nodded and obeyed.

"It was nice seeing you too, miss." I smiled.

"My sister." Richard explained with a small smile.

Richard looked back at Severus. "I'm sorry for invading, sir. I didn't mean to disrespect you or your friend."

Severus looked down at me and back at Richard. "Actually, she's my wife."

Richard's eyes widened before they apparated. Severus put his arm around me, leading me back inside the house. We sat back down and I could feel his stare boring into me.

"Arabella-"

"I swear I didn't send him that owl. He's a friend but I-"

He put his hand on mine. "Arabella, calm yourself. I believe you."

"You do?"

"How could I believe some blithering idiot over my own wife?"

I smiled. "Happy Christmas, Severus."

"Happy Christmas."

That night I sat on our couch, staring at our Christmas tree. I remembered that Severus didn't want one, but I managed to convince him. I only covered it with gold lights and decorations. I wasn't a fan of trees with colorful lights.

He joined me on the couch, handing me a warm tea.

"It's chamomile." he said, sipping his own tea.

"Did you bring the honey?"

"I already put some."

He put his arm around me and brought me closer to him. I nearly spilled my tea.

"I've been thinking about your friend." he said.

"Richard didn't mean any harm."

He gave me a look. "May I continue?"

I bit my lip. "Sorry."

"As I was saying, I think this episode is a warning. This is dangerous. Someone is watching you."

I swallowed. "That's comforting to hear."

"That must mean someone at Hogwarts is watching you." he said, glancing at me.

"You think it's my father?"

"I don't know who it is, Ara, but you must take extreme cautions. Trust no one."

"I'm not ready for more danger, Severus. I thought that time was over and done with."

"Danger and evil will always be there. You must face it, knowing there will be good that comes after it."

He sounded so sure and so wise when he spoke. I could never be as wise as him.

"Couldn't you come with me?" I asked.

"You want me to come with you?"

I nodded.

"There's some battles you have to fight on your own."

I lowered my eyes and sighed.

"But, I'm more than willing to come, especially since I know there's someone watching you. It's not safe."

I rested my head on his shoulder and he leaned his head on mine. The fire in the fireplace glowed and warmed the room. I was too comfortable to get up.

"I think I'll head to bed."

I groaned. "But, I'm so comfortable here."

"As am I but this is the couch."

"Just stay here."

He frowned. "Then you have to sing."

"Severus-"

"Yes or no?"

I shifted in my seat and sighed.

"Very well."

He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. I licked my lips and cleared my throat. After singing for a few minutes, Severus fell asleep, making me smile softly.

I had my trunks packed. I stood brushing my hair before it was time to go. I felt Severus' hand take the brush and place it on the counter of our bathroom. I saw our reflections in the mirror as he wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"Ready to go?" he whispered into my ear.

I nodded.

"You seem tense. Are you alright?"

I shrugged. "I'm fine."

He frowned and turned me around to face him. He kneeled down a bit to my eye level and stared into my eyes. He squinted as if looking for something inside of me.

"What?" I asked.

"You're nervous."

I lowered my gaze. "You've seen right through me."

"Why don't you just tell me how you feel?"

"I'm ashamed of it."

"Why?"

"I see how you are. You're brave and nothing seems to bother you. You're filled with courage and-"

"And you're not?"

I shook my head. "I'm afraid of many things."

"So am I. I'm just more private about my fears. Fears are nothing to be ashamed of. Seems we both have to learn that."

He held my face in his hands and kissed me. His hands moved down and he held my arms. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. His hand went behind my neck and pressed me closer to him.

"Shall we go now?" he breathed.

I nodded.

He side-smiled. "Then, let's be off."

A/N: So, it's back to Hogwarts and Snape is accompanying Arabella! Should be interesting to see how much Hogwarts has changed over the past 2 years or so. How will the media react to Snape returning? *dramatic music plays* Just as an FYI, if you've seen the movie, Search for John Gissing (or something like that), I put one of the argument scenes between Alan Rickman and this other guy into this chapter. The movie as a whole isn't too good but there's some pretty funny scenes with Alan Rickman that are on YouTube