Last updated on January 14, 2003
Except for Mariannah who is obviously my own creation, all the other characters here belong to J.K. Rowling.
This chapter was revised! :-) Please check out the news on "Author's Notes & News updated every now and then" (which is usually the last chapter of this story).
I'd like to thank the Harry Potter Lexicon () for all the invaluable resource, which helped me make this fan-fic. I'd also like to thank John Williams for creating such an excellent score for the Harry Potter movies. They were fuel for my imagination as well. Finally, thanks to all the other song artists and fan-fic authors. Without them, this story wouldn't materialize at all.
Confessions
Severus heard a knock on his classroom door, followed by it creaking open. He looked up to find Mariannah peeking into the classroom. "Come in, Mariannah," Severus said. Mariannah entered the Potions classroom to find Severus reaching for an ingredient to add to his potion.
"Stop!" she cried out. Severus froze just as he was about to drop it into the cauldron. "What are you doing?" said Mariannah as she strode towards the Potions Master. "You know you can't add that to your potion! You want to end up on the hospital ward for the next eight weeks?" Severus looked at her stoically. "I see you haven't lost your touch." Severus put down the wormwood and covered the pot. "The potion is already finished. I'll just let this simmer here."
"Now that was mean of you," said Mariannah, her expression in disbelief. "Well," began Severus. "The headmaster did mention that I bring you up to speed with the latest in potions and spells. I had to find out how good your knowledge of potions is after all these years."
"Well, you could have just asked!" said Mariannah, pouting her lips and folding her arms in front of her. "Then I will next time," said Severus, bowing towards Mariannah.
"Shall we?" Severus said, offering his arm to Mariannah. "Severus!" said Mariannah with mock surprise. "I've never seen you so... polite." She took his arm and they started walking towards the Great Hall. As they entered the Great Hall, she heard gasps from the people at the front. Since there were few professors during the summer holidays, everyone was seated on one of the house. Mariannah saw familiar faces. Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout and...
"Remus Lupin!" She let go of Severus and ran towards the arms of Remus. Remus twirled Mariannah around as Mariannah herself squealed in delight. "My goodness, how are you?" asked an excited Mariannah. "Oh I'm fine, I'm fine. Look at you! You look exquisite! Everyone thought you were dead! I couldn't believe what Professor Dumbledore was telling us until I saw you walk in with..." Remus stopped in mid-sentence to see who exactly led her in. He saw Snape walking towards them, his face grim and unemotional. "Oh, him," said Remus. Mariannah hugged Remus one last time before letting go and meeting the other teachers.
"So good to see you again!" said Professor Flitwick.
"How are you?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, I can't believe you're here!!" exclaimed Professor Sprout.
She hugged each and every teacher she'd known before. Then she came upon a black dog sitting next to Professor Dumbledore. "Wait a minute," said Mariannah. Her expression quickly changed from happiness to anger. "I know you! Show yourself!" The dog promptly transformed into Sirius Black. "Sirius!" "Mariannah!" said Sirius. He then proceeded to hug Mariannah except she wasn't hugging back. Instead she shocked everyone by forcefully shoving her knee into the man's groin, causing him to double over in pain. Severus, Professor Dumbledore, Flitwick and Remus flinched when they saw what happened.
Sirius was now on the ground, his hands protecting his privates. "You're not still angry at what I did to Severus now, are you?" he squeaked. Back when they were studying, Sirius had played a trick on Severus. It almost cost Severus his life if James hadn't saved him. Mariannah had been mad at Sirius ever since. "Oh! So you noticed?" said Mariannah, her voice cold and seething. Remus couldn't help but stifle a laugh. Severus, on the other hand, was trying not to smile. I will forever engrave this into my memory, thought Severus. "But," continued Mariannah. "Now that I've dealt my revenge, I forgive you, Sirius."
"Thank you!" said Sirius, his voice still small and raspy. "I shall forever remember you for your compassion." Mariannah smiled ruefully at Sirius. After which she faced a very stern headmaster. "I'm sorry, Albus. I should really watch my temper," Mariannah apologized. "You are forgiven, my dear," said Professor Dumbledore. "But the next time you try to make someone impotent in that manner, I will have to take drastic measures." Mariannah nodded. "Very well," continued Professor Dumbledore, his smile returning. "Please, join us in dinner."
The dinner was quite pleasant. Everyone was asking what she had been doing the past fifteen years. They wanted to know more about her fiancée. They also talked about old times in the school, especially after Sirius had quite recovered from Mariannah's earlier attack on his privates. Soon, everyone was satisfied with food and stories. It was time for bed. They said their good-byes and Severus accompanied Mariannah back to her quarters.
As they walked, Severus began to talk about plans on what to do about Hogwarts first thing in the morning. They talked about existing securities and possible upgrades. Mariannah invited Severus into her quarters and they continued to talk, plan, debate, argue, and eventually agree. They finally finished after a few hours. Mariannah decided to make some tea before they both turned in for the night. Severus took his and sipped. "Hmm. Your extra Potions project," said Severus. "I still you still remember," said Mariannah as she poured herself a cup, and then sat next to Severus. "Of course," said Severus. "How can one forget his own potions project being shelved into second place by tea." They continued to sip their tea in silence. Mariannah noticed something though.
"Is there anything troubling you, Severus?" asked Mariannah.
Severus set his cup on his lap and took a deep breath. "What did you mean a while back when you said, 'you had to make your peace'?" Mariannah drained her cup and asked if Severus was finished with his. When he nodded, she levitated both cups towards the nearest table with a wave of her hand. She then faced Severus. Those eyes again! thought Severus. I wish she didn't have to look at me with those eyes. "Severus," Mariannah began. "When I said that I had to make my peace... I meant... well..." She was hesitant to say what she had in mind. She looked down at her hands.
Severus had to know. "Why did you go, Mariannah? Why didn't you tell me?"
"It wasn't my idea. The night Voldemort struck me down... well... Albus found me. He told me about James and Lily and Harry. He told me Voldemort didn't really die. He... he wanted me to hide. I had to lay low. I was very weak when he found me and he was worried that the death eaters might come after me and finish me off. I wanted to tell you I was going. Albus said it won't be a good idea. The less anyone knows that I was still alive, the greater the chance for me to gather my strength again."
"It was hard for me to just suddenly go," Mariannah said. Severus lifted her face to his to find her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Severus stared at her, not knowing what to say. "I was so depressed. I really... I mean..." Mariannah stopped to compose herself, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "Anyway," she sniffed. "After a few years in Waltham Abbey, I decided to just move on with my life. I didn't want to go back here at all. The whole thing just hurts too much." Mariannah gave a weak laugh. "What would you expect? I was thirteen when I was exiled into the muggle world."
Severus couldn't bear it any longer. He proceeded to hug Mariannah. Mariannah was startled, but did not try to fight him. Instead she hugged him tightly as well. Soon Severus cradled the crying Mariannah in his arms.
To be continued...