Characters (except Anna), places, wands, cauldrons, cloaks etc. aren't mine. Sadly.
6.
The first weeks of October flew away. Teachers and students were all busy thanks to the new school year. I was tired every night but I enjoyed my work very much. I didn't have any problem with the majority of the kids and for the rest there was a wide range of detentions. Detentions were a very new experience for me, we didn't have that kind of thing in our schools but I was a quick learner. Blame it on Severus.
Oh, yes, Severus. As he predicted, he didn't have much free time. Fortunately once or twice a week, he also spent his evenings in the teacher's lounge with the other staff members. It was quite uncharacteristically from him, as the Headmistress informed me. I didn't mind it. When Snape was there, he usually talked with me, we played Wizard's Chess or read a book sitting next to each other. He was a great companionship and if he wasn't there for a few days, I already missed him. Sometimes I saw the Headmistress watching us but she didn't say a word.
Not long before the end of the month, I woke up one Saturday more early than I used to. I was a bit disoriented then I checked date and suddenly I felt horrible sadness. At that same day, a year ago, my father passed away. He was on my mind every day. I wrote a letter to my mother, to comfort her, then put on some clothes and went to eat breakfast. I was glad that there were only a few students and teachers in the Great Hall. Minerva and Madam Hooch were talking to each other while Severus was reading a book. I sat down next to him and poured pumpkin juice in my glass.
"Good Morning, Anna."
"Good Morning", I answered him in a low voice.
I didn't look at him, I just wanted to be alone.
I felt his eyes on me.
"Are you feeling unwell?", he asked.
"I'm not ill just not in a good mood."
"What happened?"
I could hear real concern in his voice. I looked at him.
"Something happened but not recently. I would like to be alone today. Is there any place where I can go? Not a class room but more like an open space."
"The astronomy tower would be suitable. for you No one goes there on the weekends. Do you know where to find it?"
"Yes, thank you."
He nodded and left me alone with my thoughts. I was grateful for it.
After breakfast, I went back to my room, put on a warm jacket, a scarf and headed to the astronomy tower. The weather was lovely, the sun was shining but the air was now a bit chilly. The winter was coming. I hopped up on the wall, under my feet were nothing but the deep. The sight from the tower was stunning with the remote mountains, the lake and the Forbidden Forest. Sometime in the day I've heard noises coming from the quidditch pitch – it was the first match of the season. I was sitting there, alone and in peace until I heard a deep voice behind me.
"Are you still here?"
It was Severus. I didn't turn to him, I kept watching the scenery before me.
"What time is it?"
He came closer. I smelled his wonderful scent. My heart fluttered.
"It's almost 5."
"Oh. I lost track of time. I didn't even have lunch."
"I know." He was now standing very close to me. I could feel the heat coming from his body. I shuddered.
"Are you cold?", he asked in a low voice.
"A little bit." In the next moment I felt magic on me: Severus used a warming charm on me.
"Thank you, Severus."
"You're welcome. You're mourning, aren't you?"
I nodded.
"Someone close to you?"
"My father passed away a year ago."
"I am sorry."
"It still hurts. Usually I can handle the pain but not today."
"It is understandable." His baritone voice was very soft, almost sensible. "Anniversaries are tough."
I turned my head and looked at him. He was watching the landscape.
"You're mourning, too."
He didn't answered. His jaw clenched.
"I'm sorry, it's not my business. Forget it."
"I used to. For a very long time. Now I'm just sad about it."
"Family member?"
"She was a friend."
"Oh." I felt unfamiliar pain in my chest.
"It took me twenty years until I was able to let her go."
"Twenty years is indeed a long time. You… you loved her very much."
"I am starting to think that what I loved for so long it was not her real personality but an idealistic picture of her. Only a nice but false memory."
His usual mask disappeared from his face. Even though his eyes were shut by now, he looked lonely, sad and vulnerable. I needed to comfort him. I put my right hand on his left upper arm. He opened his eyes and looked at my hand. The he turned his head and caught my eyes. There was sadness in his eyes but also hints of tranquillity. He put his right hand on mine and smiled a little. His hand was large, soft and warm. I wished I could hold it all the time.
"Thank you." His voice was low and full of emotions.
I nodded. He pulled back his hand, I followed suit. He cleared his throat and took a step back.
"Come with me, Anna. Enough with solitude. We can play some Wizard's Chess in the teacher's lounge until dinner."
I hopped off from the wall.
"But Severus, you know that I suck big time at Wizard's Chess."
He had a smug look on his face.
"I am very aware of that."
It was time for some angst. The next chapter will be longer and much more light-hearted but be prepared! Bigger drama is on its way!
