Chapter twenty-seven:
Voices
Victoria watched as Snape proposed to her and inspected the glimmering, vintage ring as Snape awaited for her answer. This was the moment Victoria never thought would come, but here it was. She didn't want to say anything out of impulse, so she took a moment to herself to make sure this was what she wanted. It had been two years of dating Snape and honestly, she wasn't tired of him and didn't think she would anytime in the future. Flashing a warm, happy smile, Victoria nodded gently. "Yes, I will marry you!" Victoria replied happily. Snape stood up with a warm smile on his face, something that he never had genuinely shown since the last time he was in good terms with Lily before her death.
Victoria wrapped her arms loosely around Snape's neck and crashed her lips against his. Snape closed the small, black box and placed his empty hand on the side of her waist, returning the soft yet passionate kiss from Victoria. A few moments later, Snape and Victoria pulled back, Victoria having a shy yet soft smile on her expression while Snape was reflecting the same expression before he came to the conclusion that he should keep their engagement a secret in order to keep her safe from Voldemort - Snape wasn't going to let Voldemort take another person he deeply cared for.
Victoria eyed the black box curiously, wondering why Snape didn't suggest sliding the ring onto her wedding finger, after all, that's how a proposal works. "Can I see if the ring fits?" Victoria asked hesitantly and lightly teasing. Snape looked at the black box he held before taking a brief moment to think of how to word things. "You may...but, I will need to take it back afterwards. I rather keep our engagement quiet...just until the new school year begins. Particular things have come to a close." Snape explained. It was tough to explain without giving out information related to his double agent activities, though he feared one day, perhaps if it comes to him killing Dumbledore, Victoria will find out. Snape opened the box up once again, taking the ring and sliding it onto Victoria's wedding finger, fitting perfectly without any adjustments to be made.
Victoria gleamed at the engagement ring, it looked nice on her finger and she wore proudly for that moment before Snape took her hand into his, only to slowly slide it back off to place it back into the box. "What things?" Victoria asked curiously, laying her emerald eyes on Snape. Snape knew the more he answered each question regarding the ring and his activities, the more she would ask. Snape also knew how stubbornly inquisitive Victoria can be, in which Snape simply glanced at her for a brief moment before deciding to walk off and leave her wondering, leaving down the stairwell of the astronomy tower.
Victoria stared in bewilderment at the fact that Snape just walked off when she was asking a question. She marched over to the stairwell only to lean over and spot her fiancé halfway down it. "Severus!" Victoria shouted quietly. Snape formed a smirk on his lips at her voice as he kept stepping down the stairwell. "Goodnight, Victoria." Snape teased lightly before reaching the last step and headed to his living quarters. Victoria frowned as she watched Snape exit the stairwell and sighed before cleaning up the table from the tower before leaving to her own living quarters for the night.
Overnight, Victoria had thought about the engagement over and over, smiling at the fact she was now engaged but then remembering what Snape had told her before he proposed and what he explained on why they had to keep their engagement quiet until the new school year, not including what Dumbledore told her years back. What was happening? Perhaps she was better off not finding out, maybe Snape was keeping her safe? Maybe so. She knew that Snape has been loyal and loves her enough to propose, she didnt have to worry. Snape had placed the black box with the ring inside into the first drawer of his nightstand as he turned in for the night.
Snape hated not letting her keep the ring but he couldn't risk word getting out of Hogwarts and possibly putting Victoria in danger of Voldemort. Of course he knew that it was already risky having her be Harry's guardian but having Voldemort know that she was connected to himself, Voldemort would put Snape into a position of putting her in harm's way. That was something he didn't want, but he was actually happy for once in his life and he didn't want to end that happiness. The next day, Snape had managed to bottle up the special potion he had been concocting since the beginning of the new school year and since the bottle was tiny, he managed to place one in the black box that held the engagement ring in order to assure the safety of the potion for when he would need it, he would surely have it. Once finished, Snape exited the office and headed to breakfast in the great hall where students would be leaving for the holidays soon after.
Noting that Victoria had joined the table, sitting beside him, Snape was a little uncomfortable due to having to keep the ring even though they are technically engaged. No one at the school could know about the engagement except for Dumbledore of course, it was for her safety. Victoria glanced over at Snape with a crooked smile before looking ahead of her at the students gathering in the great hall before peering over her plate. "Morning, Severus." Victoria greeted, breaking the silence. Snape glanced over at Victoria with his dark eyes once hearing her greeting and flashed a rather quick smile before dropping it, not wanting students to actually see that he smiles.
"Morning. I assume your morning has been rather pleasant." Snape replied, gently playful with his words. Victoria knew that Snape was referring to their engagement last night and she couldn't prevent the smirk she formed in her lips at the words, though she was still a little frustrated not knowing exactly why she couldn't continue to wear the ring but she assumed it was for the best at the moment - she needed to trust her fiancé. "You assume correctly. Have any plans for the holidays?" Victoria asked. Snape never had plans for the holidays, he seemed to never stop working whether it was remaining at the school or having to face Voldemort to play a role. "Nothing celebrative. Plenty of work, unfortunately." Snape replied.
Victoria sighed, knowing that Snape was always working but she wasn't one to push someone to quit their routine as she was dedicated as well to work. "I hope someday we can can celebrate the holidays together, would be nice." Victoria stated, hoping to not come off as guilt tripping but it was sincere. Snape paused for a moment, knowing that he wanted to be around Victoria during the holidays but he had his hands tied when it came to work, not potions or classes but being a double agent. Snape continuously had his life on the line when he faced Voldemort. "We will someday...I promise." Snape confirmed, though he didn't know when exactly, hoping after Voldemort was defeated.
Victoria flashed a warm smile at Snape's words, hoping that the promise will become a reality one day. "Okay. I hope so." Victoria replied. Even though Snape had work to do regarding Voldemort, he knew he had some free time in between during the week long holiday. "I'll let you know when I'm free during the holidays..." Snape informed. Victoria formed a light smile at the words, knowing this may very well be the time they would get outside of their workplace together. "Duly noted." Victoria replied. The rest of the morning was full of students shuffling from their dorms with things to take back home and to the Hogwarts Express, while staff made their way home for the holidays. Victoria had been notified by a letter from Molly Weasley that she and Harry had been invited to spend Christmas with their family which Victoria happily took - for Harry to join them for the holidays, she had other plans in mind.
"I'll meet you at the platform, Harry." Victoria reassured even though Harry knew the routine before he headed to the train. Victoria then headed off to Hogsmeade in order to apparate to London, but before doing so, she decided to look around the shops to clear her find and find some Christmas gifts for Harry and perhaps the Weasleys that Harry could bring right over - wrapped or not. Victoria had found herself purchasing some Quidditch knee pads, gloves, arm guard and shinguards for Harry, Ron and Ginny since they played Quidditch from Dervish and Banges, then some new quills, ink and parchment for Harry, Ron and Ginny as well from Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, some items from Madam Puddifoot's for Molly and treats for everyone from Honeydukes. Victoria wasn't sure what to get for Fred and George as they were opening their own joke shop at the time so she figured it would be cliché to get something at Zonkos.
Victoria made it back home to drop off the gifts before along the way she passed a shop that sold CD players and CDs, deciding on getting a CD player, headphones and some easy listening CDs for Arthur since he was intrigued by muggle items. Making it to the London station, Victoria passed through the wall of 9 3/4 and made it in time as the Hogwarts Express arrived. Standing there, holding the plastic bag that she got from the music shop, Victoria waited for Harry to depart from the train. When Harry approached, Victoria and Harry went back to Victoria's house after apparating to London, which wasn't far from London.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to join you at the Weasleys at Christmas. I have some work to get done but I have gotten Christmas gifts for you and the Weasleys. I haven't managed to wrap them yet but I had gotten everyone sweets and you, Ron and Ginny some new Quidditch gear and things for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley." Victoria explained, gathering the gifts together with a warm smile. Harry was a little disappointed in not having his aunt accompany him at the Weasleys for the holidays, but knew she took her work seriously and had an inkling that she wanted some time for herself.
When Harry was about to reply, he couldn't help but notice the glow on Victoria's expression. Did something happen that he had overlooked? "Thanks. Is... everything alright?" Harry asked curiously. Victoria furrowed her eyebrows, slightly taken back by the concerned tone Harry seemed to have. "Yes, why?" Victoria asked hesitantly, brushing some of her ginger hair behind her right ear with her right hand. "You look...over the moon." Harry pointed out. Victoria knew she didn't have a ring on her finger since Snape wanted to keep it until the new school year began but she couldn't brush off how happy she was that she was engaged.
"It's that evident?" Victoria questioned, feeling a little embarrassed by the way she was precieved by her nephew but knew that he would eventually find out at some point. Harry nodded with a amused expression, noticing his aunt's embarrassment. "Yes, quite." Harry chuckled. Victoria sighed as she took a gentle seat on the arm of the sofa in defeat. "Okay, yes, there is something I'm quite happy about. But, it was supposed to be kept a secret until much later." Victoria explained. Harry began thinking and had the idea it might have something to do with Snape but figured it would be too far fetched, perhaps it might have been a raise. "Go on." Harry encouraged as he waited patiently. Victoria knew that she mine as well tell Harry since he had already read her expression and she had mentioned she did have something to be happy about.
"I'm engaged." Victoria stated, being direct to the point. Harry didn't expect to hear those words when it came to Snape and his aunt, or from Snape period. This was odd for Harry, though he knew it wasn't his choice but rather his aunt's. "Snape proposed?" Harry asked hesitantly. Harry glanced down at Victoria's wedding finger on her left hand but not finding the engagement ring. "Yes, yes he did." Victoria replied, her gentle smile reappeared onto her expression. "And you said yes?" Harry questioned further. Victoria furrowed her eyebrows for a moment, getting a little bothered that Harry was questioning her relationship.
"Of course I did. I love Severus." Victoria replied, standing up and playfully messed up Harry's hair before crossing her arms. Harry smiled as his hair was messed up by his aunt being playful. "Okay." Harry paused, fixing his hair a little before turning to his aunt once again. "Where the ring? I suppose if you're going to propose, there must be one." Harry pointed out. Harry wanted to make sure that his aunt wouldn't be getting hurt by Snape and that she would be happy, even if he didn't particularly like Snape. "There's a ring but..." Victoria trailed off.
"But?" Harry repeated in a questionable tone. Victoria sighed, knowing that the reason that Snape had given her was hard to explain. "He said he wanted to hang onto it until the new school year began, said some things have to come to a close or something. My guess is probably waiting to tell his parents on his own." Victoria shrugged. Little did Victoria know, Snape never spoke to his dad who was abusive and his mother had passed away years ago. Not many knew about Snape's parents unless it was himself or Dumbledore. Harry took in the information, knew that the words 'things have to come to a close' had to have meant something regarding Voldemort - Harry knew for certain that Snape was in the Order at the very least.
"Odd, don't you think?" Harry questioned. Victoria did find it to be odd of Snape to have to hold onto the ring but perhaps he had his reasons and it was his mother's after all. Victoria knew that she needed to trust Snape and knowing that Dumbledore had also warned her for future odd behavior of Snape, the only thing that she could do was hang on. "Perhaps, but I'm going to trust Severus on this for now and see what happens." Victoria stated. Harry was skeptical but decided to let his aunt handle it while he kept an eye on Snape, like he always had since his first day at Hogwarts. "Fair enough. I suppose, I should get to the Burrow before they send an owl." Harry replied.
"Yes, we don't want that happening. I hope Mr. Weasley enjoys the CD player." Victoria chuckled. Harry picked up one of the bags along with a bag of clothing to bring with him as he smiled warmly. "Yeah, I'm sure he would." Harry replied, pulling the strap of his duffle bag over his shoulder. Victoria grabbed the other two bags before the two of them apparated to Ottery St. Catchpole, walking up the hill to see the burrow. Victoria levitated the two bags to the front door before turning to Harry. "Stay safe, Harry. Please don't think I'm brushing you off, I just-" Victoria explained.
"-have work, I know. It's fine, truly." Harry reassured. Harry found the idea of his aunt potentially marrying his potions professor whom he disliked to be odd, especially knowing he would become his uncle. Victoria felt a little guilty leaving Harry at the Weasleys on his own during the holidays but she wanted to visit Snape at some point of the holiday break, not to mention put together finals for her students before the end of the year. Victoria took in the fact that Harry was fine with spending the holiday with the Weasleys while Victoria was on her own and pulled Harry in for a brief hug before he headed over to the Burrow. Once her nephew was at the door, Victoria apparated from Ottery St. Catchpole and back to London.
Appearing back in London, Victoria headed back to her house and began working on the History of Magic finals curriculum for each year students within the next couple of days. Victoria wondered if she would ever be hearing from Snape during the holidays and if Harry was having fun while at the Weasleys. While in the midst of her thoughts, Victoria spotted a letter slip from underneath her front door, sealed and float towards the coffee table before falling lightly onto the surface of the table like a feather. Sitting up, Victoria out her papers on the empty side of the sofa, moved her coffee mug that she had her instant chocolate hazelnut latte in and took the letter into her hands. Snapping open the wax deal, Victoria slipped out the letter and opened it to read:
'Victoria,
I'm free for the time being and would enjoy your company, if you wish to convey yourself to my home.
Forever yours,
- Severus'
Reading the letter, Victoria smiled to herself at the needing words that Severus had written. Forever yours. Victoria knew that Snape liked to remain professional and seem strict to students but underneath all of that, he loved her. She hung onto that despite the reputation that Harry and a few others had against him, she had a connection to Snape that she was unable to explain knew he had a sensitive side, apparently not many had been able to see. Closing up the letter, Victoria gathered up her papers and grabbed her mug before entering the kitchen, putting her mug in the sink and setting her papers onto the kitchen table. Victoria then left the house with her long, black peacoat and walked to a secluded area in her town before apparating to Cokeworth.
Walking the streets of Cokeworth in her hunter green, long sleeved, knee length dress that had approximately six chestnut colored buttons that went straight down her chest to her waist that held a small, chestnut colored belt and black nylons that went over both of her long legs to her black heels, Victoria made her way down to Spinners End. Luckily this time around visiting Snape, it had not been raining but the gloomy clouds covered the sky the entire week, casual England weather. Upon finding the exact location of Snape's home, Victoria stepped down the narrow path in between the brick buildings to the door she recognized from last time. Giving the door a knock and a half, the door cracked open for a moment before fully opening to reveal Snape from behind it.
"Hello Severus." Victoria greeted in a calm tone. Snape motioned for Victoria to step inside before closing the door behind them, remaining cautious more than ever since there had been the occasional visit from a death eater. "Victoria." Snape formed a small smile, acknowledging her presence in the house. Snape was worried about any of the death eaters or even Voldemort himself finding out about Victoria, not only because she's important to him but also because she was Potter's relative and guardian, which made Snape attempt to conceal her to keep her safe. "You've seemed to have such a busy schedule, I wasn't sure if you would be able to squeeze me in..." Victoria teased, forming a faint smirk on her pink lips.
Snape figured she referred to his errands and potion making though, if she had only known it was far more serious and dangerous in what was keeping him busy, it would be easier to explain his busy stance. "For you, of course." Snape stated before taking her coat and placing it over the arm of the chair in his den before coming face to face with Victoria again. Victoria smiled warmly at the comment from her fiancé before she felt Snape's right hand glide to her lower back and push her closer to him. "Good. I suppose I have to see my fiancé at some point over the holidays." Victoria teased further.
Snape formed a pleased smile on his lips, knowing fairly well that Victoria was flirting and he couldn't lie - he quite enjoyed it. "I concur... obviously." Snape trailed off for a brief moment. Both Victoria and Snape's eyes connected for a moment or two before Snape made the first move and crashed his lips against hers, kissing her softly, lovingly before there was movement from outside his door. The sound of the footsteps and tap on his front door caused Snape to break off the kiss and quickly glance at the door with his dark eyes. Death eaters.
"What's going on?" Victoria asked in a low tone but was paused due to Snape lifting a finger to his lips to motion silence before Snape swiftly got her coat from the hook. Snape guided Victoria by her arm gently but firmly in a rush, stopping in front of his closet, opening the door. "Remain silent. Trust me." Snape informed in a low, deep tone, placing her coat into her arms and shoving her into his closet before closing the door. Victoria stood there in the small closet that held random items such as old potion scales, more books, opened boxes and a couple of dark coats hung up. What could Snape be hiding from her? Who was at the front door that Snape was wary of seeing her? This sparked Victoria's curiosity and as she remained quiet as she pressed her ear near the door and attempted to eavesdrop, hearing a voice other than Snape echoing within the house.