Note from the author:

Thanks everyone for waiting so patiently. It has been long since you've heard of me and I'm very sorry for that. I had exams for seven weeks, but now those weeks are over and I can write again! Hopefully everyone will enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. :) Enjoy the chapter!

Cheerio,

Aribeth

Finally, the holiday arrived. Miranda went to her home and Severus to his, both without much joy. When Miranda opened the front door, she immediately was welcomed by her cat Mino.

"Hello, sweetheart," Miranda whispered, "Have you missed me?"

The cat curled himself around her legs and she hugged him softly.

"He's not the only one," a familiar voice said.

A woman, with Miranda's blue eyes and black hair, entered the hall.

"Hello, mom, how are you?" Miranda asked, while she closed the door behind her.

"Fine, I think," her mother answered. She smiled weakly and Miranda suddenly felt ashamed. She had fallen so hard, that she had not realised how hard it had been for her mother. Her mother, who had loved her father so much…

"I'm sorry I didn't write you more letters…" Miranda started, while she grabbed her bags and made her way through the many plants in the hallway.

She placed her schoolbag upon the kitchen table and looked through the room. The kitchen was perfect, as it had always been. Her mother had made a cake and the smell of it made her stomach grumble.

"Darling, you have written me plenty," her mother replied, while she took a seat, "Though I have the feeling you are hiding something for me. Am I right?"

"No mother," Miranda mumbled, while she went through her things and tried to find a piece of parchment.

"No? You have nothing to ask me? Nothing to tell me?"

The surprise in her mother's voice made Miranda blush. Her mom knew her to well. She had to tell her about Severus. After all, her mother would be the last one to judge someone. And she would be pleased to see Miranda moved on after her father's death.

"Well, there is one small thing…" Miranda started.

"Hah!" Her mother smiled, "I knew it. Tell me, it is that Sirius guy you've been writing me about?"

"Mom, please," Miranda grinned, "I hate him! It's someone else… Severus Snape."

A frown appeared upon her mother's face and Miranda had to smile. She had written nothing about Severus in the past months and her mother hadn't asked about it. She had already forgotten about the boy which she had spent all her years with.

"Wait, wait…" her mother muttered, "I think I know who you mean. That boy with the black hair? Skinny, pale?"

"Mom!"

"Sorry, okay! It's just how I remember him!" Her mother laughed, "If you care for him, than he is perfect for me."

"Fine, then you won't mind if he stays for a couple of days?" Miranda asked innocently.

Her mother, who had just stood up, froze and turned to face her daughter.

"You want him to stay here?" she asked, as if she could not believe her daughters' words.

"Well, he has trouble at home and … I miss him, mom!"

Her mother shook her head.

"Oh Miranda, I wish I could say yes but…"

"No buts mom. I need this. I need him," she strongly emphasized the word and hoped her mother would understand how she felt.

"Darling, you're sixteen…."

"So? What do you think he'll do? This is a serious relationship…"

"That's what I'm scared about," her mother interrupted, "Everything for you is serious! You don't know what he thinks about this. And you're sixteen. How can you possibly know that he is the one?"

"This isn't about the one, mother!" Miranda realised she was screaming at her mother and tried to calm down. Wow, he really was driving her nuts!

"This is about me being happy," she continued, "I thought you wanted this?"

Her mother sighed. She took her seat again and stared at her hands.

"Yes, I want you to be happy," she finally replied, "He can stay for a couple of days, but from the moment I notice he isn't good for you, I'll kick him out!"

Miranda grinned and hugged her mother.

"Thanks mum, I really appreciate this!"

Dear Severus,

I have good news! Mum says it's alright if you come over. I can't wait until you're here! I've been busy in the garden, since mom isn't really a garden person, but every time I'm alone I have to think about you.

Mom's not doing well. I think she still misses dad. I miss him too, but I have you and that makes it easier to bare. I hope someday she finds someone new. She really deserves it.

Tomorrow Uncle Dan is coming. He's my mother's brother and he was worried about her. He's my favourite uncle. He's so funny! And he is, just like my father was, one of the best defenders of muggles. They say that those so called death eaters are after him, but I think that Uncle Dan can handle them. After all, he is one of the greatest wizards I have ever known!

I have to go. Mom wants me to help in the kitchen. She's preparing some of Uncle Dan's favourite meals. I don't think I'm the only one who's happy about his visit!

With love,

Miranda.

Severus read the letter a couple of times and then stared outside his window. Could he….? He shook his head. Of course he could.

The next morning, Miranda almost jumped out of her bed. She ran downstairs and went straight to the kitchen.

"Any mail, mom?"

Her mother smiled.

"Yes dear, it's on the kitchen table."

Miranda grabbed the letter, opened it and read it fast.

Dear Miranda,

If it's alright for you I will come this evening and I will stay until the weekend. If your mother doesn't like this, I could come a few days later as well.

I miss you as well. My parents are fighting, as they always do and since we do not have a garden, I do not have the pleasure to get away from things.

Perhaps I might meet your uncle. He seems a very interesting person.

Until this evening I hope.

Severus.

Mirada frowned. Was she paranoia or did he not sound like he always did? A bump upon the door disturbed her thoughts.

"Who could that be? It can't be Dan, can it?" her mother mumbled, while she walked towards the front door.

Miranda stood up and waited impatiently until her mother would open the door. Later she could not believe she had been that impatient….

"We are terribly sorry, miss Bloom. He was found on his way towards your house. I'm guessing he was going to pay you two a visit?"

The auror was someone she did not know, and it did not matter at that moment. All that mattered was that that dark lord had taken someone else she loved. Miranda stared outside, her eyes as cold as the snow that was falling down from the sky. Uncle Dan gone… it could not be. He was one of the best mages ever and now he was lost to her forever. She made a fist and tried to fight her tears. Who would be next? Her mother? She? Someone she didn't think of right now?

Another knock upon the door made her scared. She knew now how much she feared death.

"I'll open," the auror said.

He walked to the door. Miranda followed him with her eyes, and saw him pulling out his wand.

"Who is it?" the auror asked. Miranda could hear a scent of anxiety in his tone. If this trained wizard was scared, who wasn't then?

"Severus Snape."

Miranda let out a cry, ran towards the door, opened it and threw herself into his arms.

"Oh Severus," she said and she bursted out in tears.

Shocked, Severus grabbed her and stroked her hair. Feeling his body close to hers, his strength and love, she calmed down. He was here. How could he have known she needed him so much?

"This is truly magic," Miranda thought, while she closed her eyes and laid her head against his shoulder.

"Is everything alright?" he whispered, his voice caring.

"No," she mumbled, "Uncle Dan… They've killed him…"

She tried to fight her tears, but she couldn't. Severus laid his hand against her cheek and stared at her. In his eyes she saw pain and sorrow and it made her feel better. He cared for her…

He hadn't expected her to act like this. Yes, she had cared for her uncle, but she should have realised in how much danger he had been. The Dark Lord wanted him dead and they had done what he asked.

He stared into her blue eyes and tried to fight against his feelings. He shouldn't fall for her. It would bring him danger and her…

He thought visiting her would help him, but now he realised what a fool he had been. She was the only one who could stop what he was doing, he now realised. And perhaps he should listen to her. Perhaps she truly could save him…

He tried to think of something else. He tried to remember Lily's eyes and her smile, but shocked, he realised the memories had become blurry. Instead he saw Miranda's eyes and sad smile, which made him confused. He loved Lily, did he not? And for Lily's sake he did all this. He would join them and make her see how much better he was then that James she was hanging out with…

"Is everything alright?" he heard the anxiety in her tone and slowly he looked down into her eyes.

"Yes, Miranda, I'm sorry. I … I … Perhaps I'm here at a bad moment…"

"Don't be silly!" someone suddenly said.

Severus looked up and was shocked to see the resemblance with Miranda in the woman in front of them.

"You must be …"

"Miranda's mother. You're absolutely right," the woman answered, with a smile, "And you are Severus Snape. The boyfriend of my daughter."

Boyfriend? He never thought of it like that. It was a mission, a plan. He did like the sound of it. She was his, and that was something he certainly did not mind.

"Come in, Severus. It is not safe outside."

He nodded softly and followed Miranda inside. When he saw the hope and faith in her eyes, he almost told her the truth. Angry he looked away from her and made a fist of his hand.

It was all about Lily, not about Miranda… right?