.

To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

Dearest Hermione,

I will admit to being quite surprised that Lady Malfoy requested sanctuary from you. The woman is not known for her soft heart or easy manners—she is sharp as a sword and fiendishly clever. However, she holds Severus in the highest regard and has allowed him a free hand when it comes to her son. As you stand in his place, it does seem only natural that she should extend her goodwill and trust to you.

Regarding young Lord Draco, you should be able to see the marks of Severus's influence. While the other young men of Draco's standing and income are rakehells and profiteers, Draco has made some very sound investments apart from his father, and spends his time, from what I am told, waiting on his mother and pursuing his education.

Lady Malfoy may be able to help you navigate the society in London. Her wisdom alone may prove to be invaluable to your transformation from quiet country miss to Madam Snape.

Speaking of influence, I know that Miss Weasley can be a bit over-exuberant at times, but you may be able to temper her with the example of faithful married life.

I was exceedingly sorry to hear that your aunt and uncle have rejected your friendly overtures and not allowed you to see the children again. Be wary of them; they may use your little cousins to try to gain favors from you.

I am very sorry to have alarmed you with my mention of the visit of the Board of Magical Education—it was nothing or at least, very little. There is some concern about the caliber of students and their work. It is all thinly veiled medieval class concerns about the nobility mixing with common folk. With our magical community being so small, you would think that they might be more open to expanding their world.

I am amused that you have made such use of Severus's pensieve. I shudder to imagine his reaction if he knew you had seen him in those days. It was a very dark time for him, as I am sure you could see. Perhaps on my next visit I might provide a counter balance. He has improved greatly, both in appearance and manners, over the last few years, generally softening and opening up to more casual friendships rather than strictly business relationships. You are a fortunate woman, Hermione, as I know that you recognize.

I can assure you, also, that when Lady Malfoy insists that Severus would die before he dishonors you, she is not exaggerating in the slightest. There is no doubt in my mind that she has summed up the heart of Severus Snape. I, too, have known him for a great many years and can assure you that any awkwardness or seeming lack of interest comes not from indifference but rather his own worry that you might not feel similarly. Do not let his calm and cool exterior deceive you; he is an exceedingly passionate man.

Well I must run to deal out some punishment—there was a fistfight in the lower hall, can you imagine? Students these days have no propriety.

All my love,

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress, Gryffindor-on-the-Grange

Edited for grammar, capitalization & spelling on Febuary 17th, 2014 [courtesy of renaid, who is exceedingly busy and still returns my chapter within the hour].