"You look like hell, Severus." Poppy said while hardly looking up from her notes. Even her quick glance at him standing in the doorway was enough for her to notice the bags under his eyes and heavy scowl lines around his mouth. To him it seemed only fitting that his look should match his mood, the past few days had been trying.
"Well I suspect anyone woken up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morn would look like hell." He retorted testily.
"Just wait till you have children someday, they'll have you up before dawn on Christmas to open presents." There was a slight pause before he replied.
"I find that highly unlikely." He was not even sure if Poppy knew of his recent marriage but he knew enough of it to know no children would ever spring from it.
"Unlikely yes, but not impossible. Now I've made a list for you of the potions I need, it's over there on the table." Walking over to the table under the window he looked over the list of standard potions she required.
"I assume you'll want them as soon as possible."
"Just before start of term, there are only a handful of students here now and I doubt many of them will be suffering any spell damage this week and it is Christmas after all."
"Indeed." He said flatly. "I'll have them done before the feast tonight."
"If you choose." She said distractedly while looking over some more of her late husband's notes. He turned to go, list in hand. "Smile at least once today Severus or I might just keep your Christmas present for myself."
"Keep your damn present Poppy, I like my frown." As he left he could have sworn he heard her murmur "Scrooge" before the door shut behind him. Returning to the dungeons he made his way to his private libratory, all the while thoughts of her running through his head. They had yet to talk to each other and if he hadn't heard her leaving through his rooms early in the morning and returning late at night he might never have known he now shared part of his quarters with her. Where she went everyday was a mystery to him but even with her possibly a whole castle length away she was always near in thought. He, a man who faced death and potential torture almost daily was half scared of laying eyes on her again. She had practically offered herself to him freely and it had taken more strength than he wanted to admit to refuse her. By law he had every right to her but taking her, a child to his bed went against all of his personal commandments. She might have offered but offering did not mean that she wanted him in return. The damnable girl always had a way of making a mess of things. He pounded his fist on the table; Nuriel who had flown in to join him flew up and began to caw. She was his wife and he would be civil or the rest of their lives together would indeed become hell.
- - -
She had thought for sure that she could sneak out before he was awake but when she descended the stairs and entered his part of their rooms she found the remnants of his breakfast and a note from Madame Pomfrey asking for him to meet her in the hospital wing. Armed with the knowledge of where to avoid him she tied on her cloak and headed out. New snow had fallen and the fresh powder had yet to be touched by human feet or hands. Stars were gradually fading into dawn as she strolled around the courtyard that was normally bustling with students. Slight gusts of wind blew snow from the tower roofs to swirl around her. She felt as if she were standing inside a snow globe only she wished the white flakes could be petals off blooming orchard trees.
Falling back onto a drift she made a quick snow angel then laid back to watch the sky turn from indigo to a misty blue grey. For the past few days she had escaped her room before dawn to wander the castle and grounds and to draw and read. Each night she would return later than the last but he never said anything, he never even spoke to her. Doing her best to avoid him she had thought he would seek her out at any coast, she had been wrong. He seemed content to ignore her. That was fine by her she told herself, she had bigger problems to contend with. It was a miracle her engagement had remained relatively secret but she was certain her marriage would be a different story. When that news was going to break she couldn't be quite certain. Getting off the ground she made up her mind to head to the kitchens, it was Christmas after all and a bit of Christmas cheer from Tizzy and her sisters would be welcome, along with a warm breakfast.
- - -
He had spent all day working on the potions for Poppy that when he was done it was nearly time for the annual Christmas feast. Returning to his chambers he noticed his wife was absent as expected. The house elves had cleaned the sitting room, the only room they were permitted in with out his expressed consent but the dank dinginess still clung to everything in the room. Before heading into his bedroom he took note of the fruit basket Sprout had sent him, as she did every year. He changed his attire to a more formal black frock coat and started to head towards the portrait hole when it suddenly swung open. Her cheeks were flushed, hair messy but eyes brighter than he had seen them in months. He was not accustomed to being panicked but with the sight of her his heart gave a lurch. She seemed equally stunned.
"I had thought you already in the Great Hall." She blurted out breathlessly.
"I was just on my way now." He did his best to sound calm.
"Oh, well enjoy then." She replied awkwardly as she made to push past him.
"Surely you don't mean to miss Christmas dinner?" She was gaunt enough; she could use a good meal.
"Always have before." She said with a smirk.
"You are one of six students left here for the holidays, I'm sure it's safe to cross the threshold into Great Hall just this once." He could tell she knew she was being teased.
"No, I think I would rather not."
"Very well then, give the house elves my regards." With a flourished turn he and his frock coat disappeared into the corridor. He imagined a stunned look on her face but tried to push her from his thoughts as he headed up the stairs. Just like three years ago the House tables had been pushed aside and everyone was seated around the head table.
"Ah, a Merry Christmas Severus." Albus said beaming.
"Indeed." He replied while taking his seat. All of the remaining students were fourth years or below and mainly Ravenclaws, he hardly spared them a glance.
"I had hoped we would be one more." Albus said keenly to him.
"Sybil doesn't seem to have seen herself here tonight." Minerva said with a slight smile.
"Ah well that is hardly surprising, she has always preferred her tower but I was referring to Madame Sn-." Dumbledore stopped and looked towards the entryway. She was standing under the archway looking nervous. She had quickly brushed her hair and left the long dark locks to fall over her lily white shoulders. The flush of her cheeks still present from being outside was the only warm color on her. The dress she must have hastily put on was a rich navy with a white satin ribbon wrapped around her petite waist. Her first step into the Great Hall was hesitant but he watched the silk slippers she had worn at their wedding slowly gliding down the isle like they had only a few nights before. "A vision of beauty." Dumbledore said to her as he motioned her to sit next to her husband. Severus had risen at her arrival and pulled out her seat to help her sit, she gave him an awkward look.
"You must be a favorite pupil of Professor Snape's for him to act a gentleman to you Miss Rosier. I had thought him past courtesy." Poppy said teasingly.
"She is a shining star of a pupil to be sure Poppy." Dumbledore replied. "But far be it for Severus to show favoritism." A few snorts of laughter went up from the remaining students and professors. "Without just cause." He finished.
"I could have sworn you took the train home for the holidays Miss Rosier. I don't recall your name on the list of students staying at Hogwarts for the holidays." McGonagall said pointedly.
"I did go but I came back later that night." She looked even more nervous than she had before.
"And pray what brought you back after such a sort stay." Minerva pressed on.
"A…A wedding." She stumbled.
"Oh, who's gotten married now? I haven't seen anything in the Prophet." Professor Sprout piped in excitedly.
"Well it was just a small wedding, family only." She was turning even paler than her regular ghostly complexion.
"I was unaware of anyone in your family of marrying age or availability." Minerva said skeptically. "And how did you get back here after the wedding?"
"I escorted her." He could almost hear her metal screams for help. Grins broke out on a few faces.
"So you were in attendance as well were you Severus?" Sprout asked. He nodded.
"Severus at a wedding?" Poppy giggled. "Always a groomsman and never a groom eh Severus?"
"Not this time I'm afraid Poppy." He said grimly. The truth would be impossible to hold back now.
"Oh a groom now are we and where is this bride of yours, locked away in your dungeon no doubt. Should I alert the House Elves to go give her a crust of bread?" Poppy was practically crying with laughter by then.
"I don't see the need she seems quite content to seek them out herself instead." All laughter halted when they all suddenly realized he wasn't joking.
"Severus are you being serious? You're not truly married are you?" Poppy seemed taken aback.
"This morning you were telling me I was going to have children but now you tell me you don't believe anyone would ever marry me, I admit I don't see how the two correlate."
"Who is this woman Severus, why did you not invite her to dinner? You don't seriously have her chained in the dungeon do you?" Minerva looked shocked.
"Of course I invited her."
"And she refused?"
"I had thought so but she seems to have a knack for surprising me."
"So where is she, who is she, is it someone we know?" Poppy said eagerly.
"I'd prefer to let her reveal herself personally."
"Oh, Severus stop playing games." Poppy was almost irate by then. "Miss Rosier you must tell us for you were there, who is this mystery woman Severus seems so keen on hiding?" All eyes turned to her.
"I'm…I'm afraid I cannot say." She stumbled.
"Surely you can, how bad could she be?"
"Well I'm sure some people would disapprove."
"Oh pish pash, what is it that you two are hiding? It's not like the two of you are married." Silence took over the whole Hall and with every second that they did not object the suspicions grew stronger. "Are you?" He knew his face betrayed nothing but out of the corner of his eye he could see Tabitha drop her chin and hide behind a vale of her hair.
"Albus you let him marry a student?" McGonagall's eyes were wide and horror struck.
"Oh come now Minerva I couldn't very well have stopped it even if I had wanted to. I assure you all it's all quite legal."
"We cannot have a professor married to a pupil, it's unethical. It's outrageous!" McGonagall shouted almost getting to her feet.
"Severus, I've always had a high regard for you but marrying a child, your own student." Poppy tisked him.
"How long have the two of you been involved, she isn't with child is she?" Sprout seemed more interested in the dirty details. Dumbledore suddenly broke in.
"This is hardly a conversation to be had over Christmas dinner. Contrary to what most students believe professors have lives and family outside of this school and just because Professor Snape's is here in this school is not cause for scandal. Severus, Tabitha I wish you all the happiness in the world." Dumbledore's support came as a surprise but no one dared say more. Severus noticed Tabitha was near tears and made to help her up.
"Let me escort you back to the room." She snatched her arm away from him.
"I don't need your help and I don't need you to protect me, it's too late for that." She turned her anger to everyone else at the table. "And all of you so quick to judge need to open your eyes and read the signs so blatantly in front of you." She made her way to leave but he stopped her just like he always did.
"I've had enough of your tantrums and outbursts, they are your professors and you will treat them with respect."
"And what are you now?"
"I am your professor and husband."
"Yes and when you start acting like one I'll treat you as such." The words he had thrown at her on their wedding night came back to him with the same venom he had served them out with. She began to stomp off.
"Where are you going, come back here this instant." He yelled at her.
"You're not my father either, so stop trying to be! My father was a Rosier and so am I. You can pin me with your name but blood is stronger than words! If you want to act like my father I suggest you go join him under his Manor and leave me be." The small train of her dress swept across the floor as she ran out of the Hall. Collapsing back into his chair he looked at the faces staring at him.
"And you think I married her by choice." Nothing more was said.
- - -
She couldn't say what bothered her more the fact that her secret was out or how they had attacked Severus, had blamed him and accused him of violating her. But she had not done much better. The open corridors had patches of scattered snow and the cold stone sinking in through her slippers brought back memories of another night not yet a week past. The urge to run and keep running left her as soon as she felt the chill in the air. There was no place to go but back to her room. The dungeons were cold but there was no wind to bite through her dress and skin. Stumbling through the portrait hole she collapsed on the couch, the elves had lit the fire and the flames cast dancing shadows on the walls. She was tired and hungry. A basket of fruit had been placed on the table; she took an apple made even redder in the glow of the firelight. She was asleep after only two bites.
- - -
It was an hour or so after her abrupt departure when he returned to the room. He tore off his coat and ripped at his necktie and tossed them over the couch to have them land at her feet. She was reclining on the cushions, head back with an apple in her right hand. He had heard the story of Snow White but he had never thought to find her sleeping on his couch. Ideas of kissing her and then leading her off to his bedroom quickly crossed his mind but he pushed them aside. Picking up the clothes he had accidentally thrown at her he heard her stir then wake.
"What time is it?" Her eyes were still half shut.
"Not very late but time to sleep none the less." Suddenly it seemed to hit her.
"Oh god Severus, I'm so sorry. They think you wanted to marry me."
"I think you did a fine job of dispelling those theories on your own."
"Do you think they all hate me now?"
"I highly doubt it but you do have a tendency to make yourself rather unlikable."
"I'll have to work on that." She saw the hint of a smile on his face but knew better than to press her luck. "Some Christmas eh?"
"Indeed." He collapsed into a chair and put his hand up to his head.
"No gifts, no family and well I guess I didn't even really get a Christmas dinner but oh well I never much cared for the holiday anyways."
"That makes two of us." He looked as if he was suffering from an immense headache.
"Would you like me to get you some tea, you look like hell."
"That's the second time I've been told that today and no thank you I think I'll just break into Flitwick's homemade eggnog."
"Suit yourself. I think I'll go to bed." He gave a wave in compliance. "Goodnight Professor- er Severus." She heard him mumble a reply and then turned to go. It seemed like a long walk up to her bedroom longer than it had ever felt before.
They hardly spoke again the rest of the holiday and when New Years came around he spent it in his lab and her in the kitchens drinking Butterbeer with the elves. The staff seemed at present to turn a blind eye and keep their silence to one of the strangest relationships that had ever entered the walls of Hogwarts. The students however were to be a different story.
A/N: My story will continue to be pre Book 6 events so anything that happened in Book 6 will not affect my Tale Old As Time storyline.
-Kleo