I kicked at the door, angrier than I'd ever felt. I almost wished it was a full moon so I could reap the damage that had been done to my own door. I grabbed the knob, leaning my head to the cool wooden panels, and nearly fell inside as I discovered it was unlocked.
I took a deep breath, remembering my reason for abruptly crashing in, and stomped angrily through the hall to the office. I flung the door open, stepping inside with a finger pointed in the air at the arrogant fool who sat at his desk in shock.
"How dare you!" I screamed. "You just come in and out of my life and expect me not to have an opinion! You expect me to stand by after what happened without even saying a word!" I took another step forward, my fury rising as I stared in relief at the dark eyes I thought never to see again. "You could have died Severus Snape! The least you could have done was that you were alive before you took off!"
"I did die," was his soft reply. His face started to fall into the same old features and I grunted, pulling a shoe off to toss at his head. He merely moved his body, letting the shoe bounce from his chair, but the shocked expression was well worth it.
"I love you! I can understand you still want Lily, but I thought at the very least you considered me a friend!" I stood still, lowering my hand and my voice. "I thought we were at least that Severus…. I just needed to know you were alive, I wouldn't have asked for anything more. I know you're still mad and I don't blame you…"
His bushy brows furrowed and his lips formed a small 'o', but I didn't give him time to reply. I turned on my heel. "I wanted to tell you goodbye. I'll be leaving as soon as Karkaroff's ship returns, but until then I don't believe I'll be seeing you." I paused at the door, never glancing back, afraid I would lose my nerve. "Goodbye, Professor Snape. I appreciate everything."
Tears gathered in my eyes as I made my way slowly back to his front door. I stopped with my hand on the knob, wiping the tears before they could fall. Tonight was a night for many things, but the evil had been destroyed and I was alive, so it should be joyous before anything else. I turned the knob, but a boot bounced hard off the door by my head.
I stood watching as my boot bounced in front of her face, happy my aim was as good as ever. She gasped, turning to me.
"You realize indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike." It rolled easily off my tongue, but was in no way what I really wanted to say. She thought I loved Lily still? After all we'd been through? After everything that happened? Silly, naïve foolish girl!
"I don't dislike you Professor Snape, and I don't wish to damage you." She clasped her hands in front of her, her brown eyes wide, and her body stiff enough that one would think she was greeting a firing squad.
"Good." I strolled forward, grasping her arms, pulling her against me. I poured every ounce of feeling into the kiss, every ounce of fear I'd experienced through the night, every moment of happiness just thinking of her had given me, and every ounce of a passion I felt for the lady, I tried to convey. She returned it, her own hands twisting in my hair.
I pulled away to meet her eyes, now more calm with subdued passion. "I thought you died in the water."
She whispered back, "I knew you'd died when Voldemort tore out your throat."
"You brought me back." She laughed softly, apparently in disbelief, but didn't voice it.
"I still have to leave," she smiled sadly. "I wish to give Harry my house… I have too many memories to stay there."
"Very well," I agreed. I bent, wrapping my arms around her legs and catching her body as I lifted her. She held on, but cried out in shock. "You'll just have to stay here."
"I wouldn't want to put you out," she teased, her eyes sparkling with an emotion I wasn't very familiar with, but was looking forward to learning.
"I trust you'll it worth my time." I carried her up the steps; my mind ignoring what we'd been through during the night, choosing to dwell on what we would now choose to do.
AN: One Chap to go! Thanks Lily S Potter for being such a patient and quick beta!
