Disclaimer:

All characters in the story are the property of J. K. Rowling and Bloomsbury Books, with the exception of Eleanora Sterling and a few supporting characters, who are my own creations. This story is created purely for the entertainment of myself and other like-minded readers and no copyright infringement is intended.

By mentioning J.K. Rowling in this story I do not intend to present her as a fictional character or to imply that the Harry Potter books are not her own 100% original works.

Any opinions, political or otherwise, on world events, personages or governments expressed in these pages, are the opinions of the characters speaking them and not necessarily those of the author.

Chapter 7: Letter from Hogwarts

Severus seemed unusually pleased when Nora got home. "Something arrived for you while you were out," he said, holding an object behind his back.

"What is it?" she asked, mystified at his secret smile.

"A letter from Hogwarts," he replied, holding out a parchment envelope with a red wax seal. "And, I believe it's from Madame Pomfrey."

"Oh! That's wonderful! I was just thinking about her today, in fact." Nora said as he ceremoniously handed her the envelope. "So why are you so happy about it?" she asked with a wry smile.

"Because, I knew it would make you happy to hear from her," he said with satisfaction. One would have thought he was taking credit for it, from the way he was acting, Nora observed. "And you've smiled so seldom, lately, that I wanted to be sure to see your face when you got it."

"Oh, that's so sweet," she said, and kissed him on the lips. The kiss lingered, and turned more passionate. Nora felt her earlier unease fading a little.

"Mmmm… I'd forgotten how good that felt. It's been too long," she murmured. "I'm sorry we've been so at odds lately…"

"So am I. I'm afraid I've given you a lot to deal with in the last while," he said. "Go read your letter. I'd be interested to hear any news, if she has any."

"Gossip, you mean?" she laughed. "All right, just let me read it over first and if there are any good bits I'll read them to you."

"I'll make some lunch for the two of us. How does a nice avocado salad sound?"

"Oh! Sounds great, thanks!"

As Snape headed for the kitchen, Nora settled into her favourite armchair and opened the letter. Fancy anyone sending a letter with a wax seal these days. It had all the correct postage on it for airmail, however. Poppy must have had it sent through Algernon Welkin in Mundane London.

Dear Nora:

I hope this letter isn't too long in getting to you! [It was dated August 5th; surprisingly it had only taken a little over a week to arrive.] I hope everything is going well for you and that Severus has settled in nicely. You must send me all your news; you know how I don't like to be kept wondering!
I suppose it is too soon for you to have started up your practice again but I hope you are keeping your hand in. How did your garden fare while you were away?

My health is perfect, as always. I am keeping busy preparing for the onslaught of students and another school year. Last year I found out that Madame Hooch and Professor Sprout had a secret pool going to see which of them would end up sending the most students to the Infirmary. I certainly hope that doesn't turn into an annual competition!
I am happy to report that there has been very little activity on the home front. Things settled down considerably after your inauspicious departure. It seems that the Death Eaters have been lying low since you all gave them that little trouncing out on the school grounds. Headmaster Dumbledore was certainly amazed at the way you handled yourself. I declare none of us were aware that you were able to muster that sort of power. I almost wish I had been there to see it for myself, though I appreciate it must have upset you very much to be forced to use your healing powers to harm another, no matter how much they might have deserved it.

[That was an understatement, Nora reflected. She had been distraught over the fact that she had been forced to kill two men by using her telekinetic powers during a battle in which a group of Death Eaters had tried to prevent Snape and herself from leaving Hogwarts. Nora continued reading:]

I do have news of one of your friends. Remus Lupin has taken up residence in Mundane London, mostly I think to replace Ignatius Weatherby as an agent there. (I'll leave it to Remus to explain that situation to you.) As you might guess, he is quite happy to be outside of the Magical dimension during the full moon! Yes, it is true that his werewolf transformations do not take effect there. I know he had been spending more and more time in the Mundane world prior to your departure, and I think I know the reason… it seems he has a lady friend! I don't know how long he has known her, and I have to assume she knows nothing about his background, but when he visited here briefly last week he seemed very contented.

[Good for him, Nora thought with a smile. Remus was a very sweet and rather attractive man.]
I expect Remus will be in touch with you both very soon, either by telephone or letter, if he hasn't contacted you already. He probably still has a bit of settling in to do. Also, there has not been much to report lately, as I have mentioned.

I do miss having you here. I hope that you and Severus will be able to come back some day, when all this nasty business is finished.
All my best to you, and kind regards to Severus,

- Poppy

* * *

Over lunch, Nora told Severus Poppy's news about Remus. Snape's response was a disdainful sniff. "I don't understand how he can bear to live in this dimension willingly, when there are so many more advantages to being in the Magical dimension."

"It sounds like there are some distinct advantages for him to living here, if he can prevent his transformations from taking place. That must be a great relief to him."

"Perhaps, but the full moon only lasts two nights out of the entire month. Why not just cross over only when absolutely necessary?"

"Oh, I'm sure he'd be going back and forth a lot. But if he has to be posted in London, it might be safer for him being on the Mundane side. He'd be less likely to encounter our enemies there, I should think. Plus, if what Poppy says is true, it sounds like he has a pretty good reason to hang around!"

"Hmmm. I just hope he is more discrete than Welkin."

"Oh, yes, I'm sure Remus would be very careful about what he told his new friend." Nora frowned slightly. "But tell me, does your earlier comment mean that you hate living here?"

"I think you realize that I'd rather be home, but if I had to live anywhere in the Mundane dimension, I suppose I'd sooner be here than in London or, say, that awful place where your mother lives."

"Oh, well, yes, Stratford is certainly a lot prettier than North York, but there are other parts of Toronto that are quite lovely."

"Indeed. Well, I suppose you will be wanting to write back to Madame Pomfrey right away, but I had wondered if we might do something together this afternoon."

"That sounds nice. What did you have in mind?" My, Severus certainly seemed eager to please today, she mused.

"We could take a drive, if you're willing to do the driving, or take a walk by the river, if you'd rather."

"There's a beautiful nature area along the river, and it's not far from here. We can even walk to it," she suggested. "Actually, I have been wanting to take you there."

Once lunch was cleared, the couple set out for the riverside natural area and had an enjoyable and companionable walk along the trail. For Nora, spending the afternoon together renewed some feelings of trust that had been missing from their relationship for the past few days. Severus was very attentive and more affectionate than usual. Perhaps some of her fears had been misplaced.

Upon returning to the house, he suggested that they might go out for dinner that evening, then produced another surprise: a pair of tickets for that evening's performance of Richard III at the Shakespearean Festival's Avon Theatre. Nora was thrilled. She had heard great things about this production and had been unable to see anything from this year's Festival season, so far.

It was a great treat to get dressed up for such an occasion and she found Severus' choice of outfit very attractive. It looked as though he had gone out and selected some new clothes, possibly this morning. He was wearing a black lightweight suit of a very stylish cut, with a deep red shirt and dark patterned tie. With his hair tied neatly back, he looked better than he had in days.

Although she knew she was probably overdressing for a Tuesday night performance, Nora resurrected a short black silk sheath she had not worn in over a year. It suited her slender figure beautifully and with high heels, her hair swept up and the unaccustomed addition of a bit of makeup, she felt almost glamorous. Severus pronounced her a "knockout"; a word she had not known was in his lexicon.

She felt she must have been grinning like a fool as they left the house in a cloud of cologne. Her reply to Poppy forgotten, she abandoned herself to having a simply wonderful evening with her very attractive partner.

NEXT: London Calling

A/N

Thanks, shadowycat, for the review, and the title of the next chapter is a big hint that we will be hearing from Remus very soon!

- Grey Lady