Chapter Twenty-two

Tidings of Joy

The last few days before Christmas seemed long to Jennifer as classes were finished up and many students and faculty left, leaving the halls empty. Severus had not been around, disappearing a few days before Christmas to take care of some business and to find out a bit more about where the wand might be. He had become concerned the moment he heard that Theo Camden had been the informant.

"Theo is a Death Eater; he was brought in not long before Baylor. Lone man, no family, just a closet case self-taught Dark wizard. If he was the informant, he may not be telling the whole story," Severus had told Jennifer as he was grabbing potions off the shelf. "I'll try to find out more while I'm gone."

Jennifer had been to the Ministry several times, trying to find out all she could about the wand and Audi, but it seemed they knew little more than Jennifer. Crabbe had been released after the first evening, but Malfoy had been left to stew in his cell… Arthur wasn't going to take the chance of him disappearing now. Pettigrew, for some odd reason, was still standing like a statue in the middle of his own cell, left in his stone condition. It was unusual for the Ministry to leave a prisoner like that. Were they afraid of him?

But Jennifer pushed all of those thoughts aside as Christmas Eve finally rolled around. She quickly wrapped the last of her gifts and checked them off so that the midnight owls and House Elves delivered them to the correct locations. Chocolate frogs for the students, wand kits, and books from Hogsmeade were tied off with care, as well as a small box for Severus containing some new measuring tools, a copy of one of the old potion books he kept borrowing from her, and a glass link chain that was nearly invisible when worn, charmed to grow ice cold when someone was watching or warm if someone was listening that shouldn't be (Jennifer was getting quite tired of Severus checking his pocket every few minutes any time they were together.) And just for fun, she threw in a copy of a Jennifer Craw Hogwarts card, since she was quite sure he hadn't been buying any frogs. She had been hoping he'd have been back that evening, but he hadn't come by yet and now it was getting late, so Jennifer finally gave up and went to bed.

Morning came, and Jennifer sprang up like a little kid, bounding into her sitting room. She only paused to hastily pet Ratfly and tell him Happy Christmas, offering him some fruit treats. Then she started digging under the tree, first noticing the sewing kit from Minerva, the whistle from Rolanda, and the Book of Scholar's Enchantments from Filius. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron had all gotten her chocolate frogs, the same thing she'd gotten them. She chuckled at that. Then she frowned thoughtfully. Nothing from Severus? Glancing around, she then noticed a note on the table with his familiar spidery handwriting:

Please meet me in the back room of the library when you awaken. I have something for you. –Severus

Jennifer quickly dressed and pulled her hair back, just happy to know that he had returned safe and sound and wanted to see her. She went down the back stairs, trying to walk quietly in the empty hallways with only the echoes of the ghosts whispering Christmas greetings to interrupt the silence. She couldn't help but feel a little eerie when she entered the library. Morning light shone through from the narrow windows, and all the books had been returned to their places, but her thoughts went back to the weekend before. She slipped through the Restricted Section and into the back room, shutting the door softly behind her. Severus was already there, standing by the window, looking somber and thoughtful. As she stepped into the room, however, he turned walked towards her, meeting her in the center.

"Did I keep you waiting?" Jennifer asked softly.

"No, I came early to think," he said, taking her hand and guiding her over to a particular spot in the room. "Do you recall the last time that you and I had stood here?"

"Yes, it was not long after school started last year," Jennifer nodded. "After I met Lucius Malfoy the first time. We came to take the Mirror of Erised."

"I never liked that Mirror," Severus admitted. "It was nothing but a bitter reminder to me of a bitter past. That day was the first day that it didn't show me something connected to that. The vision had changed in those a few short days since I had met you, and that's when I knew things would never be the same again."

"Stop teasing. I've been trying to get you to tell me what you saw for a year and a half now," Jennifer scolded him.

"Well if you'll stop nagging like an old hag, I'll tell you, and you can consider it the first of your gifts," he said, putting a finger to her lips, looking at her steadily. "I saw myself standing beside you, and Dumbledore behind us, and he was nodding to me, as if to assure me that it was all right to want this… to believe that there might come a time when Voldemort is vanquished, and I might seek a little happiness for myself."

He glanced at her for a long moment, brushing her cheek. Jennifer stared at him in amazement. So, he had seen something close to what she had seen? It was no wonder that he hadn't told her. It must have surprised him to see it himself, and it explained why he had to break it.

"Now, the second thing I want to do, Jennifer, took a lot of soul searching, and several talks with Dumbledore over the last few months for me to decide on. But as time went on, long before Pettigrew showed up - although I think if I hadn't already decided by that point it would have clenched it - I knew that other arrangements were going to have to be made concerning how Voldemort was going to be watched. I cannot allow myself to continue this charade any longer." Jennifer looked in his face in shock, as if not believing what she was seeing in his eyes and what she just heard.

"What do you mean?" she asked softly, almost in a whisper, "Do you mean –"

"It means, Jennifer, that the next time the call comes, I'm not going back," he said firmly, his eyes full of fire and determination. "Voldemort will soon be realizing that I am one of his worst enemies, but he mustn't find this out on his terms. He has to find that out on our terms. Even Dumbledore had to agree that it was time for the truth. One thing is certain; I don't ever want to be forced to stand there and watch you get hurt and not be able to do anything about it ever again."

"Not go back? Our terms? Do you really mean it?" Jennifer burst into tears of relief and hugged him tightly, her sudden emotion making Severus wonder if he'd done something wrong.

"It will be all right, Jennifer. I know it'll put us in greater danger, but overall, it's for the best. We won't have to hide anymore, and hopefully I will be able to help you put Lucius a way for a long time," he explained, softly but firmly.

"I know, Severus, I know. This is more than I could have ever hoped for," Jennifer said smiling, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him so passionately that Severus was too stunned to speak for moment. He stared at her with an alarmed, almost intimidated expression as she happily snuggled against him, slowly recovering from her exuberant reaction.

"I'm not sure I should give you the third part of your present. I'm not certain I could handle the response," he decided.

"You don't have to give me anything else. I couldn't possibly be happier than I am right now," Jennifer said with a contented sigh. Severus shifted uncomfortably.

"I could be," he admitted stiffly.

Jennifer curiously looked up at him, gazing at his face. Her eyes grew wide and all the color washed away from her face in pure astonishment from what she read from him. Severus took a step back from her, then pulled out his watch and looked at it, smirking softly.

"Well, the watch doesn't read Mortal Peril, so that is a good sign, isn't it? I almost got you one of these watches this year, Jennifer. I walked in the shop, even looked around, but I soon realized that I never wanted you to be apart from me long enough for you to need to look at it," he said, putting the watch in his pocket and taking something else out. "That is when I arranged to acquire these."

Opening his hand, he revealed a white gold ring and a white gold band set with large, brilliant diamonds. He carefully picked up the ring and breathed on it, watching it as it began to take on a blue tint. Jennifer suddenly realized what they were, holding her breath. Dragonheart diamonds were so rare as to be almost legendary, rings that would bond to a destined couple, secretly revealing to the wearer the emotions of the person wearing the matching ring.

"Dragonheart diamonds, how could you possibly have found these? Do you think they'll work for us?" Jennifer whispered in awe.

"They'll work. If I can wake you from a Cosmic Sleep, they'll work," Severus said softly. "As for how, well… Dumbledore pulled a few strings and helped me find them. Of course, although those are good questions, the question really is if you will you wear it?"

"Well, what exactly is it going to mean if I wear it?" Jennifer said prompted.

"You're baiting me again," Severus scowled.

"Yes, and this time you'd better answer it." Jennifer chided him. Severus sighed softly and took her hand, looking into her eyes again.

"A promise, to make that last vision I had from the Mirror come true… that one day you might stand with me in the Great Hall in front of Dumbledore and everyone we know and become my wife," he said, his voice almost in a whisper.

"But not until after he's gone, though…" Jennifer murmured. Severus knew she meant Voldemort.

"I would rather nothing mar that day, Jennifer," he replied solemnly. "It might very well be a long engagement. Would that bother you?" Jennifer shook her head slowly. "So… does that mean you accept?"

Jennifer looked down and took the diamond band out of his other hand, breathing on it, watching as the diamond's tint mellowed into a purplish blue color, gazing up at him lovingly. She slipped the band on the finger of his trembling hand, then held out hers, trying to remain calm as he slipped her ring on. Severus leaned down and kissed her, the gentle kiss slowly turning as passionate as when she had kissed him a few moments before.

"Now are you the happiest you can be?" she asked with a glowing smile.

"Close," he decided, kissing her again.

The tables had been cleared except for one large table in the Great Hall when Jennifer came in, trying to contain herself. Severus had suggested they wait and see if anyone noticed, and Jennifer opted to go in first. Many of the teachers and students were already there, including Dumbledore, who was talking to Minerva.

"There is Professor Craw! Where have you been all day?" Filius said waving warmly to her. "I went to your room but you weren't there."

"So did I," Minerva said, hearing the conversation, "several times. What were you up to?"

"There now, see? I told you she's perfectly safe. In fact, Professor Craw, I don't think I've ever seen so much color in your cheeks, you must be having a wonderful Christmas." Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling.

"Yes, I've been rather busy is all. Sorry if I worried anyone," Jennifer said. Just then, Rolanda entered with a smile.

"Happy Christmas, everyone! Has anyone seen Severus today, or is he back yet?" Rolanda asked. Dumbledore turned towards Jennifer.

"Er, yes I may have passed him earlier today. I think he said he was coming." Jennifer said.

"Good! I want to thank him for the broom kit he got me. I admit that I was a little hard him about that marshmallow incident, especially since it probably did save you some broken bones from that flying lesson."

"Ah, so that's what happened to the teacher's box," Minerva said. "Whoever cleaned it up didn't get under all the seats. Several of us got stuck to them that last game."

"He didn't tell me that he did that," Jennifer said, making a face as if she were plotting revenge. Just then Severus Snape walked in, looking to be in his normal somber mood as he walked up to the table. "Snape! You flooded the teachers box with marshmallow goo?" she asked accusingly, putting her hands on her hips.

"It was the quickest spell I could think of," Severus smirked. "I was sorry about the broom."

"Oh, I see, you're sorry about the broom… no matter what I came out looking like, and in front of a group of students, no less." Jennifer said, folding her arms.

"The moment someone makes a servicing kit for Defense Professors, I promise I'll get you one," he sneered.

"Well, I can see right now that I'm going to have to separate you two," Dumbledore said, looking over the ridge of his glasses mischievously. "Minerva, if you would sit across from me. Jennifer, I want you on my left and Severus, you take the right so I can keep my eyes on you." A few of the students chuckled as Severus sat down, for Jennifer was making all sort of faces behind his back. "All right, Professor Craw, that's enough. Let's set a good example for our student guests," Dumbledore smiled at her. "Shall we begin?"

Jennifer sat and listened mostly to Rolanda and Minerva, who were talking about the new referee robes Minerva and Jennifer had made her for Christmas. Filius, who was on the other side of Minerva and across from Severus, was eyeing him suspiciously.

"You know, there's something different about you," Filius said after a moment as Severus drummed his fingers on the table. "I'm not quite sure what it is. New robes maybe?"

"Perhaps," Severus agreed, poking at his food. Jennifer leaned forward a bit to peer at him, a bit relieved they had started questioning him first. She smirked slightly at his drumming fingers, leaning back. No way was she going to be that obvious.

"No, I don't think so," Filius decided after a moment.

"So what else did you get for Christmas, anything good?" Rolanda asked Jennifer, from beside her.

"Lots of chocolate frogs," Jennifer said after a moment. A few of the staff members chuckled.

"I got three cards of me if anyone wants one," Filius offered, "But I'm having trouble getting Hagrid."

"I have an extra one of Hagrid," Minerva said, "I'm looking for Lupin."

"Surely you're not collecting the infernal things as well, Professor McGonagall," Severus said.

"Of course I am. I helped put together some of the bios over the summer," she said.

"Speaking of which, why did you have to say I liked looking in mirrors?" Jennifer said. "It makes me sound like the wicked queen from Snow White." Minerva grinned at her.

"Well, I didn't really mean it to come out like that. And at the time they were put in, you'd only been here a year. You've branched out since then."

"She could use an updated picture too, I think," Dumbledore said. "Severus could as well." Jennifer and Severus looked sideways at Dumbledore. He was going to spoil it, they were sure.

"Nonsense, Severus never changes. He won't even wear a robe I make unless it looks like all of his others," Minerva said.

"Well, something's changed," Filius decided.

"Jennifer, how come you're so nervous all the sudden?" Rolanda asked her. "Did someone get you a new broom?"

"Now, now, professors, you are all much too suspicious. I'm sure if anyone here is trying to keep something quiet, someone will surely put a finger on it some time or another."

"Dumbledore!" Jennifer and Severus exclaimed at once.

"That's it, that's what it is, Severus has a new ring on!" Filius said, pleased with himself.

Suddenly suspicious, Rolanda grabbed Jennifer's left hand out from under the table and stared at it a moment in amazement then held it out in front of her.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Rolanda said. Minerva peered over at it, adjusting her glasses.

"That's not a normal diamond, that's a Dragonheart diamond! Good heavens, however did you manage to get that?" Minerva said, admiring Jennifer's ring.

"The Headmaster was good enough to help me locate them," Severus admitted.

"How could I refuse such a request? I had always hoped you two would see your way through somehow," Dumbledore smiled.

"Then I think congratulations are definitely in order!" Filius said, standing up. "A toast, one and all! To Severus Snape and Jennifer Craw on their engagement, may this joyous day lead only to better and brighter days ahead."

As they toasted, Jennifer happened to glance over at the stunned faces of the students who had stayed over the holidays, staring between Jennifer and Severus in complete shock and disbelief. Jennifer had little doubt they were not the only stunned faces she was going to see before this was all over.