Chapter Fifty

One-sided

The library was particularly busy after lunch that Friday as fifth year students, still undecided on their interviews, pulled out periodicals, scrolls, and books on careers. They filled the tables, whispering to each other just a hairline under what Boulderdash considered acceptable in the main library. Even and assistant and two student aids, everyone was bustling to keep up with it all. Finally Boulderdash was able to break away from discussions, carrying a couple of volumes filled with back issues of Veneficiis, an alchemy journal run by the European Council.

"Here, Laura, do me a favor and take these back to Headmaster Snape. He's studying in the Research Library," Boulderdash said.

"Sure," Laura said, quickly taking them so that he could go back to the career corner.

As she walked to the back, she couldn't help but wonder if she was even in the door's security yet since she had never been back there. Typically, Boulderdash himself took care of running any books back and forth to the Research Library, or the professors came out and got it for themselves. She had only ever seen the room from the doorway as a student. The view was partially blocked by the door itself; all that a student could see was a covered pedestal and some ornately carved shelves on the left.

Quite curious to explore the rest of the room, Laura turned the handle and went inside, momentarily forgetting her errand. Past the tall, carved shelves and covered pedestal were several large oak tables accompanied by ornately carved wooden chairs... so many that half of the staff members could easily collaborate on a project if they wanted. There was a set of cube shelves on the right side of the tables, each with a nameplate listing a faculty member... some empty, while others had books. Hermione's shelf was completely filled with a variety of topics; the Headmaster's was half-full, mostly comprised of books on potions.

At first she wondered why the covered pedestal was placed so near the door and the tables were so far back, but as she walked over to the tables, she realized that it was to take advantage of the natural light coming from the tall latticed windows along the back wall. She stepped into an open area just past the tables to admire them. Pairs on the far left and right were covered with frosted glass, but the ones in the center were clear and polished. From them, she could see part of the grounds and a little of the Dark Forest, as well as the first quarter moon just rising above the treeline.

"Good afternoon," Severus said as he stepped out from between two of the reference shelves.

Laura jumped, nearly dropping the volumes in surprise. She felt incredibly silly afterwards, remembering her errand. Of course he had been in there, that was the whole point Boulderdash sent her back there in the first place.

"Boulderdash says these are the back issues you wanted," Laura explained quickly.

"Thank you, put them on the table with the rest," he said, stepping over to his place at the table where he had several other volumes and periodicals out. "I suppose you've never been back here before, have you? Feel free to look around as you like, just don't touch the pedestal; it's part of security. You may use the Research Library to help study for your exams if you want. Do you like the windows?" he asked when she didn't move right away.

"Oh, yes, actually, and the room itself, to be honest. I've always been a fan of the architecture here, although I'm not so certain all that sun is good for the books," Laura commented, putting the volumes down.

"I had the shelves and windows charmed to prevent that from happening, and the natural light makes it easier to read in here during the day, after all," Severus explained, stepping over to one of the cube shelves with a blank name plate and tapping it so that her name appeared. "The books in this room are out of the resident professors' private collections and must stay in here, but you may refer to any of them that you like. If you need to stop in the middle of research and aren't done with a particular book, you can store it on your shelf so that you don't lose your place and you don't have to hunt it down again."

"Thank you," Laura said.

She found herself staring at her name plate, feeling a strange tingle when she saw them among all of her old teacher's names... from Andrew at the top corner, to Zed Tangent at the bottom. Even Icarus had one, and she could tell from looking at his and Sinistra's beside him that they stored similar books of similar subjects and were probably borrowing from one another. Laura's name was now next to her father's, whose shelf sat empty except for a single volume of Dark and Rare Cursed Items and Their Histories … more than likely borrowed by Craw for his advanced classes.

By the time she turned around, the Headmaster was already settled and flipping through the volumes she had brought, carefully opening it to a page that Boulderdash had marked for him. She couldn't help but wonder what he was researching... but of course, it was the least of her questions. Deciding that now was not the time, Laura went back to the front desk.

When her shift was over, Laura went home to find Lindsay in the kitchen, contemplating what was in the cabinets.

"I'm back," Laura announced when Lindsay didn't look over right away.

"Welcome home. I didn't get a chance to go to the store today. Shall we improvise, go out, or do takeaway?" Lindsay asked.

"I'm a bit tired, the library was packed today. How about the Broom Service?" Laura suggested.

"I'm game for that," Lindsay agreed, searching through some handbills to find a menu. "Work was interesting today. Taylor Brittle came in and was talking to one of the other agents. Seems they're thinking of adopting again."

"That's great," Laura said with a smile.

"How was work for you, other than busy?" Lindsay asked, turning on the teapot and sitting down.

"It was interesting for me too. Boulderdash sent me to the Research Library with some books for the headmaster so I had a chance to look around. Professor Snape said I could use it to study if I liked," Laura explained.

"I've always wanted to go back there," Lindsay admitted. "I remember when my father was helping renovate that room the year we started going to school."

"It's pretty nice, with beautifully carved shelves and tall windows in the back," Laura said. "Although to be honest, I found myself a bit preoccupied wondering what the headmaster was researching back there. Most of the books he pulled out had to do with healing potions and old alchemist medical journals."

"Sounds like he's probably helping Aunt Jennifer with her research on those lycanthropy potions," Lindsay shrugged.

"I got the feeling there was more to it than that," Laura mused. "But I've been feeling like that no matter what he's been doing lately. Why did he go through Auror training? I suppose the quick answer is to find out where the missing wizards were, but it felt like he had other reasons besides that. Why did he send all of you to look after me when I got sacked? The quick answer is because my father asked him to, and yet again I get the feeling there's more to it than that. Why did it feel like they kept that position as assistant librarian open for so long? The quick answer is that they simply couldn't find someone both capable and trustworthy to take the job... but for weeks on end? And despite the fact I hardly ever see him inside or outside of the castle, why does it feel like Severus is always keeping an eye on me?"

Lindsay's jaw dropped.

"Are you carrying a torch for Uncle Severus?" Lindsay asked in surprise.

"What? Wait, no!" Laura protested, her face growing bright red.

"You are! You fancy him! What are you thinking? He's not even your type!" Lindsay exclaimed excitedly.

"Belt up, Lindsay!" Laura snapped.

"What would Aunt Jennifer say? Wait, do you realize that he's the same age as both our fathers?" Lindsay went on. Laura quickly got up.

"I'm going to bed early," Laura said, retreating.

"You'd be better off practicing some Occlumancy first," Lindsay shouted after her. "Or find a way to get yourself over it and fast before Aunt Jennifer notices!"

Laura laid down on her bed and put her pillow over her head in embarrassment.

While Severus was busy in the Research Library looking into Ivano Disparte's previous work, Jennifer happily kept Ivano busy by accepting his invitation for a picnic during lunch. It was the only time that he got her to himself anymore. Now that the headmaster was working at the castle full time, Severus wandered into her office at random times while they were working to check their progress. Between that and Professor Lupin, who would often hang on the couch for an hour or two after his blood samples were taken, it didn't leave Ivano much time to relax and simply enjoy her company. But after finding the picnic basket in the Toby's Trinkets, Ivano quickly caught on to Jennifer's love of Mediterranean cooking and her picky eating habits. Soon he began catering the food at these 'impromptu' picnics towards her tastes rather than his to entice her to sit down and eat with him away from the distractions of the Potion Lab.

"It's so warm already. It's going to be a glorious spring this year, I can tell! It's from all that snow we had," Jennifer said appreciatively as they wandered along the lake shore. The sun and the half-full moon reflected in the glassy water, the ripples very gentle in the still wind. They picked a spot to throw down the blanket, enjoying the scenery as they ate.

"Are you going to the Quidditch game tomorrow? I have to go in any case," Jennifer asked, still nibbling on some goat cheese crackers.

"Ah yes, Ravenclaw is playing, are they not?" Ivano asked cordially.

"Not only that, but they're playing Hufflepuff, and that always gets exciting," Jennifer chuckled. "You see, Diana Kitane sees Leu as a rival of sorts, and he's our Keeper. When they're playing together, the game always gets dynamic. I'm afraid she has a terrible crush on him, not that he's noticed."

"I don't see how anyone could have noticed, except perhaps someone with your ability," Ivano said. "She is a very strange girl! She's quiet and barely shows any emotion at all, yet she is a very talented student. She has been picking up things in my Healing Potions class quite readily."

"Oh, definitely, she's got quite the talent for the physical arts. I believe she's likely to be one of my new Items majors next year," Jennifer agreed. "I'll know for certain on Monday, since I'm doing interviews with Sally Scribe this year, but I think she's likely to go into Ocean Excavations."

"Isn't that the same thing that your son is going into?" Ivano asked curiously.

"Close... he's thinking of going into Ocean Magicology to study different cultures of oceanic peoples," Jennifer explained.

"A history major then," Ivano mused.

"I'm sure he'll continue taking Items, but since he spent all those years working for the goblins in excavation already, he wanted to spread out his knowledge a bit and learn a new skill," Jennifer explained.

"A very intelligent decision," Ivano decided. "Your son is definitely wise beyond his years, Jennifer."

"Yes, it's just a shame that it's mostly from him having to grow up too fast because of his earlier circumstances," Jennifer said.

"True, but it's only been to his credit, hasn't it? You have done a very good job helping him to adjust and learn how to hold his own. I am certain I will be hearing great things about him in years to come after he's graduated," Ivano assured her.

"And what about your son? He went to a private school in Switzerland, correct?" Jennifer asked, Ivano immediately becoming somber. He then smiled weakly, noticing her gazing at him intently.

"He was a bright student... graduated top of his class in alchemy, although I think he chose the field to spite me as much as his great talent in it. He was planning to go into business originally, but after a bad turning infected his friend, he decided to give it up. He bought that sheep dairy and has been there ever since."

"Do you mean Leonardo Lucco? The one in prison helping us with the samples?" Jennifer conjectured. Ivano nodded.

"Yes. He has not given up hope like my son has. Leonardo doesn't even blame Matteo for his predicament at all. But I am sure that Matteo blames himself, just as much as he blames me for his mother's death," Ivano murmured. "I wonder where he is now, and if he is safe; if he is still angry, or if he is willing to talk."

"Well, I know where he's going to be at four-thirty every day for the next week or so," Jennifer told him, smiling enigmatically. "After all, Corey has the only alchemist shop around."

"Yes, but if I show up there, he may get frightened and not go back for his dose," Ivano said worriedly. "That would be much worse."

"True, you have a point," Jennifer agreed thoughtfully. "I'll speak to Severus about it. Maybe he'll have some ideas on how to diffuse the situation more delicately. But in the meanwhile, it's high time we got back, isn't it?"

"Ah, it is. I am so sorry to have ruined the conversation!" Ivano apologized, a bit flustered.

"Oh, nonsense, you didn't ruin anything. There's nothing more important taking care of family, Ivano," Jennifer reminded him, helping him pack. "And I'm glad to help you air out your concerns. We're going to do everything we can to help, you know."

"You are much too kind," Ivano said sincerely. Jennifer simply smiled and stood up so that the two of them could walk back to the castle.

Jennifer went to look for Severus that afternoon after Potion Creation's class, slipping into the Research Library to find him looking out the windows, lost in thought. The memory of the Christmas he proposed rushed in, bringing both a smile to her face and a warmth in her cheeks as she watched him for a moment. Then, as quietly as she could, she stepped over to his side.

"This is research?" she teased softly. His gaze met hers, and she felt her cheeks grow even warmer when she saw he was thinking of that morning as well.

"Just a little respite," he murmured, gazing into her green eyes. In fact, she was looking at him so intently that her spectacles were just about to fall off her nose. He raised one finger and slid it down the length of her nose, removing them in the process. "And just what are you thinking about?"

"You," Jennifer replied lovingly. "And that morning. And everything since."

"Albus truly did change my fate that day he offered you a position. It is something I will never be able to repay no matter how long I live," Severus said quietly. "Especially since it's impossible to pay a debt when I've already given my life and soul to you. Everything I do, no matter how trivial or grandiose, I do for you or because of you. Do you see that?"

He lifted her chin slightly so she could see the full weight of his gaze, and she nodded very subtly. As he leaned in to kiss her, Jennifer caught the sight of her hand resting on his chest, her ring having deep red flames emerging from its purple hue.

Icarus Ravenclaw materialized in front of the Research Library door with his spectral hands behind him, humming softly. Boulderdash wandered close, then upon noticing the spirit, he grunted and went the other way. A few minutes later, Andrew strode over with a book in his hand, a bit puzzled as to why Icarus looked even more solid than usual.

"What are you doing?" Andrew asked.

"Guarding the door," Icarus explained.

"Why?" Andrew asked, bewildered.

"So that no one will go in," Icarus replied.

"Okay. Why?" Andrew prompted impatiently.

"Because your parents are in there," Icarus said. Andrew stared at him a moment, then rolled his eyes.

"They couldn't wait until the end of the school day? Never mind. I'm going to go pick up Quintin."

"Probably a good plan," Icarus agreed. "I'll let them know you're watching him. When they emerge, that is."

"Thanks," Andrew said, shaking his head as he went back towards the entrance.