CHAPTER 2

The sun was rising when Snape apperated back at the school. He walked back through the grounds and went immediately to Dumbledore's office. When he finished explaining what had happened, Dumbledore frowned and said

'I can't say that I understand his threat, but I do understand this- Voldemort is getting more powerful. He has started to kill again, Severus.'

He showed Snape a letter.

'This is from The Ministry Of Magic. There have been ten muggle killings already, and I fear more. What is most worrying is the area where some of the killings have taken place.'

Snape scanned the letter, until a place name caught his eye-Little Whinging, Surrey.

'Isn't that where Potter's family live?'

'I'm afraid it is, Severus. It seems that these killings are a warning, that Harry is still under threat. We have tried to warn his family that they may be a target, but.. well, lets just say that letters from Hogwarts aren't too well received.'

'So, what are we going to do, headmaster?' Snape asked, handing the letter back.

'I'm afraid that there's nothing that we can do. We just have to rely on the Ministry to do their best to catch the Death Eaters and, in the mean time, make sure that the school and its inhabitants are well protected.' He peered over the top of his glasses. 'I include you in that, Severus. If Voldemort is out to get you then you must be very careful indeed.'

Dumbledore looked seriously at Snape, then smiled.

'For now, I suggest that you go back to your room and get some sleep. I'm sure Anastasia will be wondering where you are. After all, it is Christmas day-you should be opening your presents together.'

Anastasia was emerging from the bathroom when Snape walked in.

'Oh good, you're back. Happy Christmas.' She grinned. 'I've got something to tell you' Her face fell when she saw the expression on his face.

'Severus, what's wrong?'

She sat down on the bed. Snape sat beside her and told her what had happened. He neglected to mention how terrified he had been, however. He also didn't mention that Voldemort had known of her. He didn't want her worrying unnecessarily. He took her hand in his.

'While I'm within Hogwarts grounds I am safe, I'm sure of that. You don't need to worry.'

'Who are you trying to convince-me or yourself?' Anastasia thought, but smiled to show she was reassured.

Snape looked at her. He wished he didn't have to involve her in this, wished that she didn't have to know about his past.

As if reading his mind, she pushed up the sleeve of his robe, and looked at the still vivid dark mark.

'Severus, just remember, whatever happens, whatever you've done and whatever he does to you, I love you, and nothing will change that.' She put her hand over the mark, covering it completely. Snape swore that when she touched it the burning pain he still felt subsided a little.

'Ana, I have something to ask you.' He reached into his robes, and pulled out a small black velvet box, tied with purple ribbon.

'This is your Christmas present, but it comes with a question.'

He handed her the box, and she opened it. Inside was a silver ring, plain except for a single amethyst heart in the centre.

'It was my mothers, and her mothers before that.' Snape said, taking the ring from the box and placing it on Anastasia's finger.

'Marry me, Anastasia.'

She looked at him, speechless.

'I'll understand if you say no, but I hope you won't. Especially now. If Voldemort is going to kill me, I don't want to die a lonely man. I have spent all my life alone and I am tired of it. I want to share however long I have left with you.'

Anastasia was shocked. She had never heard him speak like that before. He wasn't the kind of person to let his feelings show, not since the incident where he had been humiliated on their last day of school. He hadn't even told her he loved her since the day he had woken her from her potion induced coma. Voldemort must have really shaken him, she supposed.

'I can see you need time to think.' Snape said. He stood up and started to walk towards the door. 'I will leave you to your thoughts.'

'No, wait!' Anastasia stood up and walked over to him. She reached for his hand. 'Severus, I would love to marry you.'

As he pulled Anastasia towards him in an embrace, he felt himself smile, something he did so rarely that sometimes he thought he had forgotten how. As he did this, he remembered something Anastasia had said to him as he had walked in.

'Didn't you want to tell me something?'

She looked up at him, and, seeing the quizzical expression on his face, said

'Don't worry, it's good news. I hope you think it's good, anyway. I'm pregnant.'