Chapter twenty-six:
Candlelight
Once the students began exiting the great hall, Victoria stepped down from the professors table and made her way through the crowd, finding Harry with his friends just outside the doors of the great hall. Snape watched as she left and figured it had once more had to do with Harry, obviously spotting him with a bloodied up nose. Victoria approached Harry and his friends, placing a gentle hand on Harry's left shoulder. "Harry, what happened?" Victoria asked, referring to his nose. His nose seemed to not be broken - not that she knew another friend of Harry's, Luna Lovegood, had fixed it - but it had some blood still around it as if he had a bloody nose. "Spectacular." Harry replied in a slight unenthusiastic tone.
Victoria caught the tone of his voice and arched an eyebrow in response, not particularly favoring his tone. Harry noticed it immediately, knowing he shouldn't have said it in that manner towards not only a professor but his aunt, especially after Hermione and Ron had an awkward reaction to his words. "I meant, I'm fine. Truly." Harry corrected himself. Victoria sighed before placing a brief curved smile on her lips. "Good. But why is there blood?" Victoria asked. Harry looked to Hermione and Ron, obvious that he didn't want to explain it as he didn't even tell them when they had asked. "I rather not talk about it. Not right now, if that's alright?" Harry replied politely.
Victoria wanted to know but she also respected her nephew's privacy. "Okay, but if I see you like this again, you're going to tell me and going to the hospital wing. See you tomorrow, Harry." Victoria stated, flashing him a warm smile before walking away to her classroom and turning in for the night. Snape found himself in his own living quarters for the night, attending to the potion he was brewing earlier that day, a potion that will take six months to brew. This was something that Snape needed to keep for himself, knowing how intense and dangerous things were getting as the year progresses. Snape had another thing on his mind but he knew it wasn't the right time to act upon it, not just yet, it was something he needed to think more about and perhaps, get some advice on how to do it.
With that in mind, having thought about going about it the entire sleepless night, Snape had made his way up to Dumbledore's office after teaching the fourth years, having no other classes to teach after fifth period that day. Entering through the gargoyle, Snape stepped into Dumbledore's office, spotting the headmaster immediately at his desk speaking to his phoenix, Fawkes. "You are looking quite dreadful today..." Dumbledore said, causing Snape to halt steps away from the desk, arching a brow momentarily. "Headmaster..." Snape trailed off, causing Dumbledore to glance over at Snape from Fawkes and turning his body towards him fully. "Ah yes, I was speaking to Fawkes, Severus. What is it that you need to speak to me about?" Dumbledore questioned.
Snape didn't know how to go about asking the advice he needed as it would possibly come as a surprise to the headmaster, nonetheless, to whom would be involved. "I presume you already know about Victoria and my relationship..." Snape began, thinking of how to word things as he went along. Dumbledore gave Snape a curious look, of course he knew about them, he was the one who invited Victoria to Hogwarts due to her similarities to Lily. "Yes, Severus." Dumbledore replied simply. Snape placed his hands folded in front of himself, feeling a little awkward with the subject. "Do you think it is wise to have such a relationship during such hostile, incongruous times?" Snape asked out of curiosity. Only Dumbledore knew of Snape's position being a double agent and of course, the seriousness of his relationship with Victoria compared to the rest of the staff.
Dumbledore tilted his head back slightly, examining Snape's expression for a moment in thought before parting his lips in reply. "In such dark times as this, Severus, everyone needs someone to lean onto, otherwise, one could break under such pressure. Even if the other does not understand, their support and love can be comforting towards one that needs it." Dumbledore stated. Snape took in what the headmaster said, figuring that Victoria was something good in his life that he needed to keep and not lose over this battle with Voldemort but as the days went by, it seemed to have gotten darker and darker. Looking down at the desk, Snape spotted Dumbledore's finger tips turning a color of grey, like a stone just below the Gaunt ring he had been wearing before Dumbledore removed his hands to stand up from his chair.
"I suppose, I will continue..." Snape trailed off, before adding, "However, I have to inform you of the fact that I had to make an unbreakable vow this summer to protect Mr. Malfoy as he continues such mission I had briefly mentioned yesterday upon my arrival, headmaster." Snape added. Dumbledore took a moment to pause and think over the information he had received about Draco having to try to murder him, knowing it may be inevitable to avoid if they wanted to be successful in defeating Voldemort. "Yes, yes...I will have to think about an action based on the information but until then, continue to attempt to help the Malfoy boy as we both know, his innocent soul and mind isn't ready to be damaged with murder. I will inform you when I come to a conclusion, Severus." Dumbledore explained. Severus then swiftly left the headmaster's office and headed back onto the floor where Defense Against the Dark Arts was located, back to his own office.
Victoria had just finished up her last class of the first day back, which happened to be the sixth years. Harry and Ron seemed to enjoy catching up in the middle of class, to where Victoria had to warn them to quiet down whereas she had noticed Draco Malfoy had been much quieter than usual. Victoria didn't think anything of it before the period had ended. "I will see you next Monday, that is when your first paper of the first two chapters will be due." Victoria excused the class. Little did Victoria know, Draco Malfoy had something he was hiding, something dark he feared which caused his silence.
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months when it was now the month of December. Victoria had continued to notice Draco's homework was slacking and knew she had to speak to him after class. Harry and the rest of the students got up to leave the class but being Harry, he remained by the door to eavesdrop curiously on what his aunt had to say to his rival. As Draco gathered his bookbag slowly to leave, Victoria approached his desk. "Mr. Malfoy, i need to speak to you about your homework." Victoria addressed. Draco froze for a moment by his desk, keeping his hand on the strap of his bookbag and his pale expression on his face. "What about it, professor?" Draco asked carelessly.
Victoria noticed the tone of Draco's voice, one that seemed to have given up on school and had placed a concerned look of her own upon her face. "I've noticed you haven't been turning in your work and the minimum amount that you have at the beginning of the new school year, it seemed you had out minimal effort into it. You've done so well in your schooling up to this point, is everything okay?" Victoria asked in concern. Draco wore a tired, perplexed expression before shrugging it off. "I'm fine. I don't like history." Draco played off. Victoria had a bad feeling at the pit of her stomach that seemed to gnaw at her when she was near the Malfoy boy but she didn't know why, though she knew this was a lie Draco was telling her.
"I find that quite odd compared to years prior but if that's your reason..." Victoria trailed off. Harry remained suspicious from outside the classroom door before he decided to leave as Victoria walked back to her front desk. "It is my reason. Can I go now?" Draco replied impatiently. Victoria sighed as she crossed her arms, looking directly at the blond haired Slytherin. "You will need to serve detention for not turning in your homework the past month which I will leave up to your head of house. You may go." Victoria issued, watching Draco shuffle out of the classroom. Victoria knew she had given Snape the burden of giving out her detention to Draco but she felt that he would be better to issue it, since he was Slytherin's head of house. Snape had gotten the news about Draco's detention and had ended up having Draco polish the trophies in the trophy room.
Victoria had been asked to help chaperone the Christmas party that was held by Slughorn which only select students that he would see having potential to succeed after Hogwarts would attend and Victoria was happy to hear that Harry was one of those invited. Snape was also asked to help chaperone which would keep Victoria entertained. In the last outing to Hogsmeade, Victoria managed to find a dress for the party in one of the clothing shops named Gladrags Wizardwear which she found to be suitable as a professor at a Christmas party. It was the night of the party and Victoria found herself getting into her dress. The dress had a dark green top with long sleeves, a green and red plaid skirt that went to her knees and wore her usual black heels. keeping her modest, professional look while her ginger hair laid over her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Snape had been called into Dumbledore's office to talk before Dumbledore would depart for the holidays, in attempt to find one of the rumored items to belong to the Peverell brothers. Stepping into the office, Snape swiftly made his way up to the desk, only coming to a halt when he spotted the headmaster standing beside it. "You asked to see me, headmaster?" Snape questioned patiently, his expression remained placid as he began thinking about that small box that laid in the first drawer of his desk in his Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Dumbledore nodded and stepped over to stand in front of his desk, facing Snape. "I need you to inform Harry that i will be traveling and that I hope he enjoys his holiday." Dumbledore stated.
Dumbledore studied Snape's expression for a moment before Snape turned his focus onto Dumbledore once again. "Certainly. What shall I tell him if Mr. Potter decides to ask of your whereabouts?" Snape asked. Dumbledore paused for a moment to think before deciding on the answer, knowing that he didn't want Harry to know where he was going, to try and seek out the resurrection stone that he thought it may be - he wanted to speak to his sister, Ariana, once more in attempt to mend things with her from his past actions. "No, do not tell Harry...is everything alright, Severus? You seem, I'm afraid, quite deep in thought." Dumbledore pointed out. Severus was slightly caught off guard by the question Dumbledore asked, knowing he had something on his mind but didn't find it appropriate to blatantly bring it up since it was a personal issue.
"Yes...I do have something precisely on my mind about something,--" Snape stated before being cut off halfway by Dumbledore. "Let me guess, it is about a certain ginger haired professor? I assume you are not getting distracted..." Dumbledore trailed off. Dumbledore had known about Snape and Victoria being a couple but had stayed out of it until now, though he did practically set them up with Victoria's arrival to the school. "No...not distracted, headmaster. However, I had been thinking over the summer holiday that perhaps, I should ask Victoria...to marry me." Snape explained. This wasn't a shock to Dumbledore entirely but it was obvious that Snape was quite nervous, even if it wasn't shown on the outside.
Dumbledore was determining if it was a good idea to think of marriage in a time like this that grew darker and darker each day while they figured a way to stop Voldemort. But, perhaps, it could shed some light on the dark times and may even test the strength of the relationship from what will occur in the future. Snape waited patiently for Dumbledore to give insight to what he spoke, but the wait would be shortly over. "I was beginning to worry it would be a distraction from our work against Voldemort, however, taking things into consideration you need some happiness in your life, Severus. Even in dark times, one needs an ounce of happiness." Dumbledore replied. Snape had looked away for a moment at the remark about him needing happiness, feeling more embarrassed to expose his emotional side even though he had once done so in front of Dumbledore when it came to Lily many years ago.
"Any advice on how to do a proposal?" Snape asked hesitantly, his expression remained placid, despite having to forwardly ask the question he needed advice on. "Set up a nice dinner for the two of you, ask the elves in the kitchen. Oh, and I find the astronomy tower to be quite reflective, it has an extraordinary view. Enjoy your holiday, Severus." Dumbledore stated before he clapped his hands together and apparated from his office, leaving Snape there by himself. Snape took a moment, thinking things through before swiftly leaving the office and headed down the corridor to Slughorn's Christmas party.
Victoria had entered the Christmas party a few minutes before Harry had with his date, Luna Lovegood, looking around at the party guests and Christmas decorations. Slughorn approached Victoria with a overly happy smile on his face, seeming to enjoy his party."Happy Christmas, Professor Hawthorne! Thanks for chaperoning my party." Slughorn greeted, quickly becoming distracted seeing more guests entering the room before Victoria could respond, spotting Harry arrive. "Harry my boy! Happy Christmas...'" Slughorn trailed off. Victoria smiled warmly before walking off and watched the guests mingle.
"Ah, Professor Snape, thank you for chaperoning and Happy Christmas!" Slughorn stated, Victoria of course, overheard the words, turning her emerald eyes over onto Snape as she stood near the Christmas tree. Snape noticed Victoria standing by the Christmas tree in her green long sleeved top and red and green plaid bottomed dress, his stomach twisted a little at the thought that he could possibly become engaged tonight but he had his doubts that she would accept also on the inside. Snape moved towards the Christmas tree and stood beside Victoria among the chattering of the students that were invited to the party. "You look quite festive tonight." Snape complimented, having a small smile appear on his lips for moment.
Victoria formed a smirk on her own lips, knowing that comment translated into a compliment from her boyfriend, but having to remain professional in front of the students. "Thank you, Severus. You look dashing as always." Victoria replied, attempting to hide her light pink cheeks from being noticable. There was a brief moment of pause between them as Victoria, with her left hand, low-key intertwined her fingers with Snape's fingers on his right hand, surprising him for a moment before he, too, intertwined his with hers. Only the two of them were able to notice their hand holding amongst the party guests, which felt nice for not only Victoria but for Snape - he never truly had a romantic relationship, only feelings.
Watching the guests, Snape noticed Harry pass by and go under one of the drapes coves, causing Snape to drop their hands a moment later and follow Harry. Victoria sighed at Snape's departure but also remembered they were there to chaperone and not to be a party guest. Victoria stepped away to monitor the party from another view, spotting a student having accidentally lit one of the red lanterns that hung above on the ceiling on fire. "Oh no." Victoria muttered to herself before marching over to the scene and casting the extinguishing charm to extinguish the fire. "Ten points from Gryffindor!" Victoria stated sternly, causing Hermione Granger to frown upon hearing the loss of points as she passed in attempt to divert McLaggen.
"What's going on back here?" Snape stated, pulling back the drape that hung on the wall, only to spot Cormac McLaggen in front of him and Harry with the corner of his eye. McLaggen seemed to feel sick from the party and hunched over, only to puke all over Snape's shoes. Snape bit his cheek at the scene that played before him, having to now clean up his shoes. "You've just bought yourself a month's detention, McLaggen...not so quick, Potter." Snape stated in one, stern breath while McLaggen slipped away after receiving detention and Harry had attempted to as well before being caught. Snape had only needed to give Harry a message from Dumbledore before the night would end, but wanted to seem intimidating to keep up his reputation.
Stepping outside the drapes cove, Snape faced Harry. "I think I should rejoin the party, sir. My date-" Harry made the excuse. Snape knew that it was only an excuse to not speak to him, probably afraid of getting detention himself or rather that his shoes now stunk with vomit from McLaggen, either way Harry was going to listen to the professor. "-can surely survive your absence for another minute or two. Besides, I only wish to convey a message." Snape explained, slightly annoyed by the students already. "A message? What message?" Harry questioned. Snape arched an eyebrow at his questionable tone but simply ignored him further, wanting to get the message over with so he could focus more on the event he planned for the end of the night more preferably. "From Professor Dumbledore. He asked that I give you his best and that he hopes you enjoy your holiday. You see, he's traveling and won't return until term resumes..." Snape revealed, bringing his dark eyes to pierce at Harry.
"Traveling? Where?" Harry asked but was left with only silence. Snape walked off, not answering any questions from Harry, knowing he wasn't able to tell him anything without Dumbledore advising him to do so. Stepping away, Snape went to an empty area near the back of the room and pulled out his wand, casting the scouring charm to clean off the vomit on his shoes. "Scourgify." Snape casted, cleaning his shoes back to normal. Victoria had been walking passed the food table, looking at the unique desserts and appetizers such as pigs in blankets, Treacle tarts, mince pies, trifles and many others before she had spotted Snape from across the room and Harry mingling with Luna and others. Suddenly, there was a noise of shuffling feet and insults coming from the entrance of the room, which caught everyone's attention, including Victoria and Snape.
Filch had brought in a blond haired Slytherin known as Draco Malfoy, by the collar and arm, claiming that he was lurking in an upstairs corridor and trying to crash the party. Snape decided to take this issue into his own hands and walked up to Filch who had been handling the Malfoy boy. "I'll escort him out..." Snape stated he pierced his dark eyes at Malfoy. Draco yanked his arm away from Filch who let go. "Certainly, professor." Draco spewed. Snape directed Draco out the door and down to an empty, gloomy hallway which was a good amount away from Slughorn's office. Snape was annoyed that he had to handle yet another problem in the same night, not being able to slip away to set up something he was planning for Victoria.
When Snape got further down the hallway, trailing after Draco, Snape shoved Draco against the wall and stood in front of him. Snape knew that Voldemort had given Draco a mission to do and having done the unbreakable vow, Snape had to assist Draco and make sure he wouldn't do anything that would put him in harm's way. If Draco were to get himself killed, Snape could die as well which Snape didn't want to have happen. "Did you hex Miss Bell?" Snape asked forwardly with a stern tone. Draco straightened up his posture as he faces Snape. "Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" Draco sneered. Snape knew that Draco wasn't taking precautions seriously and not getting the mission done in a duly, smart manner.
There were many flaws in his plan to do the mission of killing Dumbledore, flaws that could easily expose him to many staff in the school. Draco slumped against the wall again as Snape pierced his dark eyes at him in disappointment. "I swore to protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, one that I didn't have to make." Snape pointed out. Snape could have just let Draco go on his own with this and risk his life, but Snape was touched by Narcissa's plea and decided to try to help Draco. "I don't need protection. I was chosen for this! Out of all others. Me! And I won't fail him." Draco refuted. Snape was stunned by how stubborn Draco became and was willing to expose the entire plan by the steps he was taking, Snape didn't want to risk being killed himself.
"You're afraid, Draco. You attempt to conceal it, but it's obvious. Let me assist you..." Snape pushed. Snape wanted to give Draco one last opportunity to choose but either way, he would have to step in. "No! I was chosen. This is my moment!" Draco pleaded. Snape stepped back, disappointed in the his Slytherin student before Draco brushed passed him and marched off down the corridor. Snape knew that this plan to interfere with the mission wasn't going to be easy and this time around his life was on the line, even though every time he faced Voldemort, he was risking his life if his mind slipped off of occlumency. Leaving with frustration, Snape headed to the kitchens of Hogwarts, to speak with the elves in order to set up a special evening with Victoria.
Entering the kitchens in a swift manner, the elves were just cleaning up from the dinner that night and organizing the rest of the dishes from Slughorn's Christmas party when a couple of them looked up at the black haired professor. "May we help you?" one elf asked, placing a stack of clean plates from the sink into the dish drainer. Snape kept his arms hidden in his black cloak as he watched the elves now all come to a stand still. "I need a special order for tonight...and tonight...only. You see, I'm having a special meeting with a fellow professor and would like a nice dessert and... candlelight." Snape explained, his tone was slightly awkward, not used to showing any positive emotions outwardly for anyone to see.
The elves stared up at Snape for a moment or two, stunned by such a request with candlelight coming from none other than the strictest professor in the school. "Yes, sir. We will get on it straight away, sir. Where exactly will it be at, sir?" another elf in the kitchen asked. Snape kept his expression placid as he watched the elves in the back begin to whip something up. "The astronomy tower, in exactly fifteen minutes." Snape replied before exiting the kitchen. The elves knew it was none of their business but had to obey the headmaster and professors of the school, so they began making two desserts while other elves went to set up a table and chairs at the astronomy tower.
Victoria had walked back to the history of magic classroom after the party had ended while Harry left to the Gryffindor common room. Victoria wondered where Snape had gone but figured that he had turned in early after escorting the Malfoy boy out of the party. Stepping into her office, Victoria was turning the door knob to her living quarters when there was a swooshing sound that sounded as if there was a rush of papers from her classroom falling onto the floor. Furrowing her eyebrows, Victoria turned around and stepped out of her office to spot not papers but one sealed letter that laid on the desk nearest to the door of the classroom that must've been placed with her back turned or slipped from under the door. Walking over, Victoria picked up the letter and broke the red waxed seal that held the letter closed, unfolding it to read:
'Victoria,
Meet me at the top of the Astronomy Tower tonight, eleven o'clock.
I have something to discuss with you.
- Severus'
Victoria read the letter and was surprised that Snape had something to discuss but what's was it? She assumed it might have to do with the Malfoy boy or something simple as wanting time alone with her before everyone departs for the holidays but she would be sure to find out soon. Folding the letter back up, Victoria checked the time in her classroom on the old fashioned clock to see she had five minutes to be there. Placing the letter in her office, Victoria left her classroom and made her way to the astronomy tower with her heels clicking against the cold, stone floor along the way.
When she arrived to the top of the astronomy tower, Victoria spotted the table with a gold, lit candelabra that held five candles along with a bottle of pumpkin juice from the kitchen with two glasses and two mini strawberry trifles for dessert. Victoria wondered what was needed to be discussed that required a romantic setting but she did like the idea. As she edged the table, a figure appeared from the dark stairwell and approached near the table as well - Severus Snape. Snape had just came from his own office to retrieve the small, black box he had in his drawer and spotted what the elves had set up, something that he had approved of.
"Severus, this is beautiful. I didn't expect this." Victoria stated, she was surprised but liked the thought that Snape had to put this together. Snape stepped in closer and as Victoria was to pull out her chair, Snape walked over to pull it out for her. Victoria sat down with a warm smile on her face as she looked at the candlelight and the trifle that was in front of her as Snape took a seat across from her. This was nerve wracking for Snape, never having the slightest thought that he would ever get the chance to propose to a woman after Lily had stopped speaking to him and married James before her death.
"I suppose it's my reputation, no doubt." Snape stated with a light smile on his lips. Victoria chuckled softly at the remark that Snape had made and looked over at the night sky, which was a perfect view from the astronomy tower, causing Snape to as well. "I love spontaneity. It can be quite boring if everything was predictable." Victoria pointed out, turning her gaze from the sky and back onto Snape. Snape gave another light smile to the comment and placed his dark eyes back onto Victoria. "Precisely. I felt that-" Snape began speaking but stopped when he had heard footsteps on the stairs of the astronomy tower coming up. Irritation filled Snape at any kind of interruption of the special night he has planned and knew if it were a student, punishment may very well be placed.
"Ah, there you are, Professor Snape. I've been meaning to speak to you about the sleeping draught...how do you exactly put in the Valerian sprigs? Everyone does it differently. I'm curious to know." Slughorn stated, ending in a chuckle. Snape remained calm with an emotionless expression as he sat at the table. Victoria looked over at Slughorn, a little bothered by the date being interrupted. "You are quite ill-timed, professor Slughorn, I highly suggest another time?" Snape pointed out. Slughorn seemed a little perplexed until he noticed the candlelight table and Victoria sitting there as well before becoming slightly embarrassed. "I apologize, I had not noticed you were there, Professor Hawthorne. I see you both are quite busy, I best be on my way. Night night." Slughorn stated before walking back down the steps of the astronomy tower.
Snape turned to Victoria feeling slightly self conscious but more so, he felt that his insides were twisting into knots at the idea of popping the question soon. Victoria turned her attention onto the trifle in front of her and placed her hand on the spoon that laid in the trifle bowl, taking a scoop. "This looks delicious." Victoria stated, attempting to lighten up the mood. Snape formed a crooked smile on his lips as he watched her scoop some trifle into her mouth before gently placing his hand on his own spoon to do the same. "It is delicious." Victoria added. Snape nodded before placing his spoon back into the bowl. "I can vouch for that." Snape agreed. Victoria left her spoon in the bowl once again before placing her hand back into her lap.
"I need to tell you something, if you don't mind?" Snape asked, stringing the upcoming question along. Victoria brushed some of her ginger hair behind her left ear as she curiously watched on. "Sure...what is it?" Victoria asked. Snape knew hard times were ahead and wanted to make sure that his double agent activities wouldn't result in him losing her in the future. "If, for any reason, I do not act like myself or become imprudent, do note that it's for a good reason. Promise me, that you will not leave me..." Snape explained. Victoria paused for a moment, not knowing what Snape was referring to but knew she had heard the same warning from Dumbledore a while back regarding Snape. What was it about? Victoria was a smart woman and usually had good judgement of people she met. This was something she would have to figure out but she knew it sounded like it was very serious.
"Of course. I won't leave you, Severus." Victoria explained before she had noticed Snape ease up a little and slide out his chair, stand up and step over towards her before fishing out a small, black box from the inside of his cloak. Snape lowered himself to one knee and opened the black box, revealing a mid century, round 0.45 carat diamond ring. The diamond was secured in an eight claw platinum collet above a scalloped back plate and with a white gold band. This was Snape's mother's engagement ring and he was saving it for such a time he would ever involve himself with getting married.
Victoria was surprised to see what she was witnessing, Snape on one knee in front of her, holding a box that held an engagement ring. Was this real? It felt surreal to Victoria, something she never thought would happen this soon, but yet there he was. Standing there. "Two years ago, I knew you were the one for me, especially after knowing the ingredients to Veritaserum..." Snape expressed. Victoria formed a smirk of her lips as she watched Snape from her chair. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" Snape asked.