Hello, my wonderful reviewers! I'm so sorry I've taken so long, but I had a severe care of writer's block. Hopefully I should be back on track now, and this chapter, although mostly memories, ties up a couple of loose ends and might help with a couple of your questions. So enjoy!
"Watch out, Anna!" A twelve year old Lily Evans called up into the branches of an oak tree. The chestnut haired girl dressed in denim shorts and a striped T-shirt just laughed and climbed higher into the twisted branches, waving down at her friend. Just to tease the red-headed girl, she found a thick branch and looped her knees over it, swinging upside down. Her hair streamed out behind her, a thick, gossamer curtain as Lily moved nearer. Her head was on the same level as Anna's when she stood in front of her, but she sat with her back against the trunk, smiling up at her friend. Anna shifted slightly so she was facing Lily, and began to swing back and forth slightly.
"How long has this tree been here?"
"Ever since I can remember." Lily replied with a tiny smile. "Tuney and I have played under it forever. Oh, by the way, can you see a purple soft toy? It'll probably be a little moth eaten by now, but it was one of my favourite toys when I was little. Tuney threw it up there by accident when I was seven."
"Hang on." Anna swung the right way up and began clambering back into the branches. Twigs tugged at her clothes, snagged at her hair, and mud and lichen streaked her arms. Narrowing her eyes she looked about the branches, looking for a flash of purple. Her eyes travelled further, out of the tree, and fixed on a black-haired boy who was limping towards them.
"Sev!" She called. He jumped and looked up, and she saw him grin as she waved wildly from the tree.
"Hello, Anna." He laughed, disappearing under the tree. She could hear him chatting to Lily, and continued her search for the elusive soft toy. She eventually spotted it wedged in a parting between two branches, and grabbed it. However, the sudden movement caused the branch to snap and she fell down through the boughs. She managed to loop her legs over a branch again, and jerked to a halt upside down in front of Severus and Lily, but of whom jumped backwards, yelling in surprise.
"I be a bowtruckle! She laughed, holding out the soft toy. "This be yours, Miss Lily."
"Thanks, Anna." Lily took the toy from her, cradling it close. Severus, having recovered from his initial shock, moved closer until they almost touched.
"You're mucky enough to be a Bowtruckle." He teased, smearing some of the mud on her face down her cheeks. She glared at him playfully, swinging backwards and forwards, and then shrugged.
"That's what comes from climbing trees, I guess."
She swung a little too hard and the branch she was on snapped. She shrieked wildly in between laughing as she fell, and then two strong arms caught her out of the air. Gently, Severus righted her and let her catch her balance before letting her go. A faint blush coated his cheeks, and it only increased when she hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek.
"Thanks, Sev."
"Y-You're welcome." He stuttered, sitting next to Lily. Smiling, she sat cross legged in front of them and pulled her chess set out of her pocket.
"Game?"
"You're on!" He grinned, grabbing the black pieces. They played an enjoyable half hour game until Petunia sloped out, scowling. She carried a two glasses of lemonade and some freshly baked biscuits. Her lip curled as she surveyed the group, her eyes lingering on Severus.
"Mum told me to bring these out. What're you doing here, Snape? Looking for some more charity? We don't run a hostel, you know."
Before Severus could retort in like, Anna had jumped up, grinning deviously. "Why, thank you Tuney!" She hugged the older girl tightly, making sure to smear mud on her pristine shirt. Petunia shoved her away, and then shrieked.
"You've got mud on my shirt! What have you been doing? You look worse than he does!"
"That's what happens when you climb trees." She smirked, with an unrepentant grin. Petunia huffed and turned on her heel, flouncing away as Lily and Severus laughed and Anna traded sips of lemonade with him.
"Close your eyes." Severus murmured, touching her shoulder lightly. She frowned but obligingly did as he asked, clenching her fists warily. He wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand resting at her hip again as he began to lead her somewhere, his voice gentle but confidant. She found herself listening to it more and more, and shivered as the deep silky sound washed over her– the seductive timbre of it just for her.
"Are you cold?"
"Not at all." She replied with a small smile, and even though she couldn't see him she could sense him smiling as well. His voice rumbled against her, a mark of safety and familiarity. "Where are we?"
"If I told you I'd be spoiling the surprise, wouldn't I?"
"Severus..." she warned.
"Relax, Anna. We're not there yet – I've brought you somewhere else first. Your surprise isn't until this afternoon."
"So where are we?"
"Welcome," he said, and she tentatively opened her eyes, "to Mill Town. It's changed a bit, hmm?"
"Oh..." she whispered, turning this way and that. "Oh...oh... is Lily's house still...?"
"Over here?" Amused, Severus took her hand, leading her across the street. It was the first public affection he had shown to her outside Diagon Alley, and she felt a small burst of warmth as he squeezed it gently. They came to a halt outside a small, Tudor-looking house. Baskets of pansies swung in the small breeze, the lawn was mown to perfection and the same, familiar apple tree still stood on the front lawn.
"This hasn't changed one bit." Casting a disillusionment charm over herself, Anna stepped nearer to the tree, reaching out a shaking hand to stroke the bark. A pale, long-fingered hand closed over hers, and she smiled. "We used to sit under here and drink lemonade and eat cookies Lily's mum had made, do you remember?"
"And watch everyone walk by and guess who they were. I haven't forgotten. I never will." Longing infused his voice and she let the same feeling wash over her. Those days had been peaceful, the days before the war.
"Is the park still the same?" she asked quietly, turning to stare up into his eyes. He was still holding her hand, and she didn't pull away as he ran a finger over the skin on her wrist. It tickled slightly, and she smiled again. He had always done that to her and Lily – he used to tease them, because both girls had always been ticklish there, and he hadn't. They used to sit for hours trying find where he was ticklish. She suspected she would never know.
"Same as ever." He replied. "Same trees, same swings, same everything – I don't think the keeper's changed much either."
She giggled, looking over his shoulder at the greenery. He tugged her arm gently, pulling her back onto the road and leading her towards the park. "We're here because...well, I guessed you hadn't been back here since Li...the start of the first war, and we need to go to my house so we can floo somewhere."
"Oh?" she asked, her interest sparked. He laughed slightly, black eyes filled with amusement.
"Yes. Forgive me, but I think you've only been to Spinners End once, haven't you?"
"Only the once." She replied with a small smile. He offered her his arm and the two of them walked away into the park, turning this way and that and letting the memories rush over them.
"Anna, I want you to meet Severus. Sev, this is Anna – she's coming to Hogwarts in September."
The thin, sullen black-haired boy stuck out a hand, dark eyes not wavering from hers. Anna made sure to keep contact as she gently shook the offered hand, and let him see the honesty in her eyes. He nodded, satisfied, and the questions began.
"How old are you?"
"The same age as you – a little younger, I think."
"Where did you meet Lily?"
"I'm Remus Lupin's twin sister." Anna replied by way of explanation. The black-haired boy's change in demeanour was startling. His face closed off and he turned away. Anna grabbed his shoulder and spun him back around to face her.
"Do you have a problem with that? I don't particularly like my brother's friends, but that doesn't mean I'm anything like them or him and I don't think it's fair that you judge me on their actions. You're a Slytherin, aren't you?"
"Yes." He muttered, looking slightly less hostile at her burst of words. "Does it matter?"
"No." She replied with an easy smile, watching his eyes widen in surprise. "Not at all. I don't really care what house you're in – it's the friend inside that counts."
He smiled, then, the first smile she had ever seen him show. It was tentative, heartbreakingly unsure, as though he was unsure of its reception. She smiled back warmly, and he took her hand in his.
"I think, Anna, this is going to be the start of a glorious friendship."
"I bet I can swing the highest!" A fourteen year old Anna teased. Egged on by the contradictions of her friends, she began to swing higher and higher, the wing tugging at her hair and clothes until she was almost parallel to the bar at the top of the swing. She finally let go and soared through the air, landing gracefully in a cat-like position on the tarmac as the black-eyed boy laughed and cheered and the red haired girl scolded her half-heartedly...
"What's wrong, Sev?" A much older Anna asked, crouching next to the black-haired boy who was sat dejectedly in the middle of the playground, head in his hands. He looked up in shock and overbalanced, falling backwards. She reached out a hand and helped him back up. Only when he was stood in front of her did she realise he had a bust lip, black eye and his shirt was stained in the corner with blood. "What happened to you?"
"I went to Lily's." He replied quietly, turning away. "Potter didn't take it too well. Neither did my father when I got back."
"Why do you think I'm here?" she asked with a small sigh. "I don't want to see James Potter snogging Lily any more than you do. Come here. Let me sort you out."
"You don't have to." He muttered, looking down. Anna tilted his head up again and traced her finger across his lower lip, healing it wandlessly. She went on to trace the small cuts across his cheeks, and then pressed her hand against his shoulder. There was a gentle flash of white light, and he gasped.
"Better?" she asked quietly. "I've healed it as far as I can and put it into a Statis charm to hold the bone steady whilst it heals."
"Thanks." He whispered, rolling his shoulder and looking up at her out of one unbruised eye. She cupped his face in her hand and covered his eye with the other. There was another flash of light, and the bruising vanished. He smiled up at her tentatively, one hand rising to cover hers.
"Why did you go to Lily's?" she asked, withdrawing her hand and sitting cross-legged next to him. He swallowed, and she carried on. "You knew Potter would be there."
"I needed to talk to her. But I didn't know you were there, otherwise I would have come to you first. You always did listen better than she did." He added with a wry smile. Anna moved closer, trying to hide the pleased blush tinting her cheeks in vain.
"What's wrong?"
"Only him." Severus responded, and by 'him' Anna knew he meant both Lord Voldemort and his father. She chose to ignore the first for the moment, choosing instead to focus on the latter.
"What has your father done now?"
"Effectively?" Severus asked softly. "He's thrown me out. I'm homeless, Noushka."
"Well, that's simple to solve." Anna replied with an easy smile. He stared across at her.
"What do you mean? I was going to ask Lily whether she minded me staying with them – I could sleep on the couch, or even outside, and work for them..."
"Gods, no, Sev. I've a much better idea. Remi and I need to travel to Russia tomorrow to sort out Mum's affairs – she left half the family fortune to each of us. You can come with us – I doubt you've ever been to Russia. As long as you don't mind putting up with Remi for two weeks."
"You're joking." Severus' face creased in sudden anger. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?" Scowling, he shuffled around until he sat with his back to her. She wrapped both arms around his waist, pulling him back to her.
"I've never been more serious."
"Wow!" Severus grasped her hand tightly as he rose to his feet, looking around in wonder. Anna had to admit, the view was breathtaking. Snow capped mountains, deep russet green valleys and forests as far as the eye could see.
"Welcome to Russia." Remus let a little of his accent infuse his voice, and Severus turned to them both.
"I didn't know you two actually had Russian accents."
"We do well at hiding them. C'mon." Remus led the way into the cobblestone street, grinning widely. Anna followed, tugging Severus along with her as he stared about, eyes wide. They turned a corner and came upon a small, tranquil market with dusty wooden stalls with colourful canopies, and the smell of spices heavy in the air. Street sellers were everywhere, smiling warmly, proffering goods left and right.
"Annoushka!" Someone cried. "Moĭ dorogoĭ! My dear! I palevyĭ! And fawn!"
"Sergei!" Anna laughed, pulling Severus over to one of the sellers. A tall, blond-haired man with a dazzling smile strode out from behind the stall and swept her into a tight hug. The familiar smell of gingerbread and berries washed over her, and Anna sighed quietly. "Eto priyatno videtʹ Vas, Sergei. It's good to see you, Sergei."
"I vy, Annoushka. Kto eto? And you, Anna. Who is this?" Sergei asked, motioning to Severus with a sweep of his arm. Anna smiled up at him, pulling Severus forwards once more.
"Eto Severus. On moĭ luchshiĭ drug iz shkoly v Anglii. On nikogda ne byl v Rossii i ranʹshe, no ya reshil prinesti yego s soboĭ. On velikolepen na zelʹya i govorit na russkom, tak chto vy i on dolzhen horosho ladyat. This is Severus. He is my best friend from school in England. He's never been to Russia before, but I thought I'd bring him along. He's amazing at Potions and speaks Russian, so you and he should get on well." She explained with a quick smile. Severus looked up at the tall man quietly, and then offered a hand.
"Privet. Eto zdorovo vstretitʹsya s vami. Anna skazala mne, chto ty potioneer? Hi. It's great to meet you. Anna told me you are a potioneer?"
"Ya uchenyĭ russkoĭ zeliĭ. I'm a Russian Potions Master." Sergei replied with a wide grin. "Odin iz luchshih v strane. No iz pisem Annoushka, ya ponyal, chto vy ochenʹ talantlivyĭ pivovara, a takzhe. Vozmozhno Annoushka dolzhny prinesti vam vsem, chtoby chaĭ v odin prekrasnyĭ denʹ na vash vizit, i my mozhem govoritʹ bolyee. Yesli net, to u nyee yestʹ moĭ adres. Ne stesnyaĭtesʹ pisatʹ mne. One of the best in the country. But from Annoushka's letters I gather that you are a very talented brewer as well. Perhaps Annoushka should bring you around to tea one day on your visit, and we can talk more then. If not, she has my address. Feel free to write to me."
"Spasibo. Thank you." Severus breathed, before Anna ran over and tugged him away. Both looked back to wave at the thin, smiling Potions Master who watched them leave wistfully. Anna showed Severus all around the market, and they ended up leaving much later than they had originally planned, carrying armfuls of gifts.
Anna sighed irritably, finally managing to hoist her trunk into the bag rack. Stopping for a little while to catch her breath, her eye was caught by a movement in the doorway. Sirius Black was stood there, eyes riveted on her figure. He looked rather surprised.
"Was there something you wanted to say, Black?" she coughed pointedly. He jumped, startled, and then sent her the boyish grin he usually reserved for his 'fan girls.'
"I could have done that, you know. Pretty girls like you don't need to worry 'bout that sort of thing."
"The day I ask you for help will be the day hell freezes over and I'll eat my hat." She replied cuttingly. "And since when have I stopped being 'Moony's sister' and become a 'pretty girl?'
"Dunno." He replied with a careless shrug. "You've changed over the summer."
"Yes, Black, I have." She replied quietly, stepping straight in front of him. She was uncomfortable in his personal space, but she needed to get her point across. "I grew up, unlike someone."
"I guess so." He replied ponderously, falling into step beside her as she strode away. "But since when have you looked like that?"
"Like what?" she asked coolly, spinning on her heel to face him. It was true she had decided to grow out of boys clothes a bit, and was wearing a close fitting shirt and jeans, but there was no need for him to go bug eyed. And ok, she had tied her hair up into a bun, with a couple of pieces hanging down due to the strain of hoisting her trunk onto the top shelf, but she had tied her hair up plenty of times the previous year.
"Amazing." He replied with another one of his flirtious smiles. "Did you go to a fashion specialist or something?"
Boy, that was the wrong thing to say. If she hadn't been annoyed, Anna would have found it hilarious. He was lucky he hadn't said it to Lily. "For your information, Black," she replied shortly, spotting Severus duck into a compartment a little way up ahead, "I have always looked like this. It's just that you, like a couple of other boys, can't see past the 'Moony's sister' exterior. I am a real person, you know." And with that, she turned around sharply and headed into Severus' compartment, leaving him gaping in the middle of the corridor.
Once she had shut the door, Anna took a deep breath, resting her head against the cool glass. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder, and she looked up into Severus' eyes.
"Half a day and he's already managed to annoy you?"
"I guess so." She sighed, covering his hand with her own. She found herself studying him. He seemed older too, as though something had happened which meant the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. "What's wrong, Sev?"
"Nothing." He replied evasively, trying to break her gaze. It failed miserably, and she searched his eyes some more. They were darker than usual, although she could see flecks of brown in them, and they seemed almost... emotional.
"What's happened?" she asked softly, sitting him down. He looked away, swallowing visibly, before it all rushed out.
"Mum died a couple of weeks ago." He sobbed, and she was shocked to see tears running down his cheeks. He must be a better actor than she had thought if he had hidden it from Doushka. Either that or he had bottled it all up, and now it was trickling through the gaps in his composure.
"Oh Sev." Anna laid a hand on his shoulder, looking up into his eyes. He seemed to freeze, and she saw him struggling between collapsing into her arms or pulling away. She didn't really give him much option, pulling him close and stroking his hair gently. He hid his face in her shoulder, sobbing wildly, his body shaking with the suppressed tears. "Let it out." She whispered. "It helps."
He moved closer and her arms went around him automatically, one hand still stroking his hair. She could feel his tears soaking through her shirt against her skin. They were warm. She began to sing softly, a haunting, contemplative tune which she had sung to herself and Remi when their mother had died. However, thinking of that made her think of her mother and of his mother, and she felt a tear slip down her cheek. She remembered Eileen Snape very well. A kindly, gentle woman who was fierce when it came to protecting the innocent and who slowly withdrew further into her battered shell as time progressed. She would rather not think about her mother. They sat for a little while, Severus with his head buried in her shoulder, she with her arms wrapped around his thin frame.
"I'm a fool." He mumbled suddenly into her shoulder. "A weak, selfish idiot."
"And what makes you think that, hmm?" she asked, lifting his chin. He stared back into her eyes.
"She's happy where she is – everyone says she is. She's at peace now – I know she is. I shouldn't be acting so spoilt, like I wanted to keep her here. She's happier now than she's ever been."
"Oh, hush Sev." She whispered. "There's nothing wrong with missing your mum, wishing she were still here – I do it every day. I'd leap at the chance to see her again. And yes, she may be happier where she is, and you should be happy. It's ok to feel a little resentful as well."
"I forgot." He was still staring at her although she had suddenly appeared out of heaven. "You lost your mum too."
"Yes." She said, her throat suddenly dry. "And believe me, I missed her every minute of every day for months afterwards. I still do. But they are happier where they are, Sev. She hasn't left you 'cause she doesn't love you."
"I know." He sighed, leaning into her arms. "Not that my brain will listen, of course."
"Well..." Anna gave him a hesitant smile. "Perhaps you should try to have fun, Sev. You Mum wouldn't want you to be sad. I've been practicing chess."
"Perhaps you're right." He sighed, and then attempted a small smirk. "Come on, then. Bet you can't beat me."
"Bet you I can." she teased, summoning her chess set. "Black or white?"
"White." He replied.
"Hi, Sirius." Anna sighed wearily, looking up at the tall, dark-haired boy. Sirius smiled at her, and sat next to her on the stone.
"Hi, Anna." He replied with a quick, boyish grin. "I was wondering, you, me, Hogsmeade tomorrow?"
"No, Sirius. You should know by now after six years of rejections that I still won't say yes." She replied, standing. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Please, Anna."
"No." She struggled against his hands. "Let me go!"
"No." He smirked. "Not until you kiss me."
Anna was speechless with indignation. "I-I...No way!"
"Then I guess we aren't going anywhere." He replied, leaning nearer. Anna turned away, arms folded. However, he was still gripping her arm, and yanked her back around to face him. "Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?"
"No!" she yelled.
"Will you go to Hogsmeade with me?"
"No." She hissed. "No, no, no."
"I'll keep asking until you kiss me."
Anna glared at him, and then sighed. "Fine."
He grinned, and dipped his head, kissing her on the lips. She stumbled backwards as he ran his tongue along her lip, and had to grab his arm to stop herself from falling. She broke away, spitting on the floor.
"I hate you, Sirius Black."
"It's to keep you safe!" A twenty two year old Severus Snape grasped the girl's arm wildly, trying to stop her from running away. Anna looked up at him sadly, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
"After all we've been through, Severus?"
The young man froze, his eyes caught on hers. They were filled with pain, but also knowing and acceptance. He dropped her arm and turned away, hiding his face.
"I'm sorry." He choked out. But I can't watch you be...I won't let you...It's for Lily."
"It always is." Anna sighed, stepping nearer. Any watcher could see the amount of pain those last three words had inflicted on her, but the pain was hidden from him an instant later as she laid a hand on his arm, turning him around. Even if she did love him, as she had done for years, she knew he would not love her. He would always love Lily, even after she died. And she would continue to be there for him.
"You love her, don't you? You always have." She said softly. His head shot up, and he stared at her.
"How did you-?"
"Severus, I've known you for ten years. I can read you like a book, however well you hide your emotions to everyone else." She sighed softly, and then leant nearer, kissing him once lightly on the lips. He was too paralyzed to do anything except melt into the kiss, however brief it was as she drew back.
"Goodbye, Severus." She whispered, and then she was gone, leaving the dark-eyed young man stood alone in the wood, his fingers touching his lips where she had kissed him. He stretched out a hand, as if he could still see her and was imploring her to return, and then something inside him seemed to break. He dropped to the floor, head in his hands, and cried.
Anna hadn't realised that she was stood opposite him under a tree, eyes fixed on his, until his hand fluttered up to caress her cheek.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered, eyes locked on hers. She managed a small, wan smile.
"It's ok. I didn't realise it had affected you that much. I wouldn't have left if I'd known."
"Don't apologise." He cut in forcefully. "It isn't your fault. It's my fault, for not admitting to you earlier that I love you, Anna." He leant forwards, and pressed his lips to her. She stood frozen for a couple of seconds, before kissing him back happily. He tasted sweet, and she moaned softly as he increased the pressure, one hand dropping to her waist to support her. He drew back slowly, licking his lips.
"We've messed this up, haven't we?"
"Right and proper." She replied with a wry grin. He turned towards her slowly, and one hand reached back out to cup her cheek.
"I'm going to do this right, this time. Anna, I've loved you for years." He whispered. "Ever since that day you kissed me on the cheek after I caught you from falling out of a tree. I never said anything because I always thought it was you and Black, ever since that day by the lake. That was what I was going to say, that day I told you to go. I was going to tell you I loved you. When I asked how, I meant to ask how you could think that when you are so very beautiful."
She blushed, smiling. "I've messed this up as well, haven't I?" she asked with a sigh. "Severus, I've loved you for years, too. Since that exact same day, in fact. That's why that tree is so special to me. Black asked me to go to Hogsmeade that weekend, and when I refused he wouldn't let me go until I kissed him. But I always thought it was you and Lily."
"Well, we were both wrong." He replied with a flash of his innocent grin. "I love you, and this time, we're going to do it right. So, Anna Lupin, I would like it very much if you were to accept the offer of being my girlfriend. Better late than never, I guess."
"Of course." She replied, smiling happily. He pulled her to him, hugging her tightly, and then took her hand and began leading her away.
"And now for your surprise."