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Act XXXVII
181. Return
I returned north the next day. Harry promised that he would find Severus for me and bring him up to the cottage, even if he had to bring him in magical chains. I had merely rolled my eyes, doubting Harry would be able to overpower Severus, physically or magically.
Severus could only be prevailed upon to come if he wanted to come. If it came to that—he would only be found if he was willing to be discovered.
I watched the passing landscape morosely through the dust-smeared train window, unwilling to hope fully but unable to completely despair.
182. Breaking
I went through the motions of living: eating meals, sleeping on the soft couch, tending the garden, and listening my way through the record collection in the parlor.
It was just after midday when a great storm rolled in; rain lashed the windows, thunder followed the lightning that skittered across the dark sky.
I flicked through the papers that had decorated my mantle for the past week. The divorce papers sat on the top of the stack. I rubbed my thumb over the spiky signature of my husband and then over the blank line that waited for my pen.
183. Reality
I heard the knock at the door distantly and stumbled in my haste to open it, the cold air rushing over me as I stared into the darkness.
A very miserable and wet-looking Severus Snape stood on the doorstep, dressed in a dripping cloak that matched the one that I used daily, his dark hair plastered to his cheeks.
"Miss Nash."
"It's still Mrs. Snape, actually, even if you've come to regret it—husband." My tone was more biting than I had intended.
His face twisted and he stumbled a step back. "I—I'm sorry. This was obviously a mistake."
184. Echoes
"Oh no, you aren't getting away a second time." I chased him down the garden path in the pouring rain and tackled his back. "Wait. You have to stay and talk to me."
He twisted away, but I had no illusions: if he really wanted to free himself, he could in moments.
"Severus, don't leave me again!" I howled. "We have to talk about it, at the very least!" I fisted my hands in his overcoat and tugged him.
He turned back to the house, mute and compliant, guiding me under his cloak and angling me away from the rain.
185. Lost
Standing in the warm foyer light, I got my first good look at him. He looked exhausted: great, dark circles under his eyes, his cheeks slightly sunken, as if he hadn't been eating.
Casting a series of spells over himself, he dried his clothing and hair before turning to me, careful to keep his wand pointed away from my person. Motioning towards where I was dripping on the floor, he asked softly, "May I?"
I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak, content to absorb the rightness of him in our cottage.
The brush of his magic was warm and gentle.
A lovely weekend to my fearless, counseling beta renaid, who knows how to wrap a love story up. (Three more chapters, dearest readers!)
I would like to thank all who jumped to our dearest Severus's defense after the last chapter. I am sure he appreciates it as well. However, a disclaimer: Opinions provided by the characters in the story do not necessarily reflect an accurate picture of the following: canon, the reader's opinion, the author's opinion, or what is actually happening in the story (or the alternate universe's backstory).