AN: Didn't really mention it in the last author's notes, but obviously the copyright information stays the same - If it showed up in anything written by J.K. Rowling, then it's not mine. However, Belldani is. Also, if you recognize Belldani's first line of this chapter, and the name of the new Potions professor, feel free to join in the private chuckle. And laugh that I can't think of better names. (There is a town falled Flitwick in England, so maybe I'm not that bad...) For those who don't understand, Greenwheel is a band, and their current song all over the radio is Breathe... I'm done now.

Ch 12: Letters

"I'm fine, really," Belldani said to the crisp morning air as she collected water for tea from the pump outside, "It only hurts when I breathe…"

She carefully carried the full pail back into the cottage where she had spent the past month and a half. Dumbledore's younger brother, Aberforth, had agreed to let her stay in his guest room. Belldani thought he might have wanted company, but now she reasoned he just wanted to have a human around to play his practical jokes on. That hadn't faired well and he desisted after turning her Puritanical black robes into sparkling, neon pink ones. She reacted by sending flames from her wand towards him and, with much apologises by both later, they were at an easy silence.

She shared meals with him and while he worked on teaching the rainbow flock of goats he kept to speak Italian, she walked. Once she had gotten to the edge of a cliff overlooking Hogsmeade, but mostly she stayed in the small, uninhibited valley the younger Dumbledore called home.

Belldani was sitting down to breakfast when there were not one, but three owls tapping at the window.

"A raid!" Aberforth yelled, and waved his wand, opening the window. One dropped the Daily Prophet in Aberforth's lap, and the other two each had a letter for Belldani. The first was from Harry, she found, as she opened it and she put the second aside.

Belldani Snape,

Thank you for the offer to help me with girls, I really need all the help I can get. Maybe you heard something about the row Cho Chang and I had last year? Really messed that one up. Hermione's not going to be much help anymore, now that she and Ron are a couple. He can be a bit of an arse. Do you know when yet you're going to visit Snape Manor? If it's a Saturday, a Hogsmeade weekend I mean, Dumbledore may let me go with you. I know I would want someone with me, if I ever got to visit my parents' house… It was destroyed though, so I suppose I can't ever visit it.

Lupin, Tonks and Moody are here at Hogwarts now. Lupin's head of security, Moody is teaching DADA, and Tonks is a liason officer. Do you know what's going on? I'm usually the last to know…

Luna Lovegood - her father owns the Quibbler - and I tried to see Snape's grave yesterday. It was the weirdest thing; I could see it clear as day, but all Luna saw was a clump of trees and a rock. Dumbledore must've done a good job protecting it, maybe only the people who were there can see it. Hope to hear from you soon?

Harry

P.S. - Ron's got the idea that you're my girlfriend now. Stupid arse.

Belldani chuckled at the postscript, and she was surprisingly gladdened by Harry's offer. She hadn't heard from the Order since she arrived, which was a welcome relief. She was alone with her thoughts, and that had been enough for her. Now she was beginning to remember his last words. Don't mope around all day. He was a first love and you're not even 18 and half. Yes, she would ask Albus to allow Harry Potter to accompany her to Snape Manor.

Then she picked up the other letter. The handwriting on the front, "Mrs. Belldani Snape", was much neater than even her own. She opened it and began to read.

Belldani,

Ron wrote to my mother and father telling them about the new Potions professor at the school; I thought you were going to take the position? I agree with your not taking it, now. You are still not ready, I'm sure, to move on with your life. Greenwheel was the Potions professor before Snape, I believe.

I hope that you are finding Scotland most relaxing, although it's bound to get quite cold soon. Remember the weather at school? Mother's offered for you to come stay with us, if it is to your disliking; Ottery St. Catchpole or here in London, she and Father haven't decided which.

Please don't be too upset that we haven't owled you; Remus felt we ought to keep you up-to-date with the plans, but it was actually Mother who said flat out to wait till you wrote to us, that you needed your space. You haven't written yet, but I... I wanted to write to you.

Thank you for saving my life, Belldani, and I only wish I could have thanked your husband as well. I am eternally in your debt. If you had not been in my flat that night… I am certain You-Know-Who would have killed me by now. For your information, I've vacated said flat and am living with my parents again. Much safer, really.

Perhaps you will agree to a correspondence with me? I look forward to your reply.

Percy Weasley

Belldani had to re-read the letter after she saw who it was from, quite surprised to be hearing from Percy again. Aberforth had left the table by now, most likely he was off talking to his goats. Belldani picked up both letters and headed to the small room she had.

Aberforth had two guest rooms, one was actually intended as a bedroom. The other had been a nursery perhaps, or the room for a farmhand. It was very small, having a bed against one wall, a small nightstand with a candle and a window with a flat wood seat. Belldani chose this one in favor of the other, more graciously appointed room, saying she had no need for the finery there. It was a pleasant change, having the small guest room. Despite its look, the bed was soft, and sleep came easy. She sat on the floor, putting quill, ink and parchment on the window seat. She looked at both letters and decided to write to Albus then and think about Percy's yet.

Albus,

I've heard you found someone to cover Potions classes for the term. I'm very glad you have and I'm still debating when to take you up on the offer of the position.

Harry Potter sent me a letter today and made an offer that I cannot refuse. At the first available Saturday, may Mr. Potter accompany me to Snape Manor? I think I may be able to handle visiting the estate now; were Severus' personal belongings from school sent there as well? However we can arrange to travel will be left to you, I do not want to place him in danger.

Aberforth has been very kind in allowing me to stay, we are getting on quite well now. I am grateful to both of you for being so kind.

Regards,

Belldani Snape

Harry came to breakfast a bit later Friday morning, figuring that since he had overslept, he would have time to grab a piece of toast before heading to Divinations with Firenze. Professor Trelawny still taught in the stuffy tower room; her classes were for the third and forth years, and the fifth years if they chose. Firenze taught 6th and 7th years.

"Potter," McGonagall strode down the aisle as he was shoving a sausage into his mouth quickly, "You need to go see the Headmaster as soon as you are done."

Swallowing quickly, Harry protested, "I have Divination in a few moments."

"Don't worry about it, Potter," McGonagall replied, "Just go." Harry sighed and grabbed his bag again, heading into the hallway. He made his way past the other students who were almost late for class, stopping in front of the gargoyle statue that was the secret entrance.

"Uhh…" Harry tried to think of the password, "Lemon drop? Bertie Botts' Everyflavor Beans? Ice Mice?" The statue hadn't moved and there were footsteps approaching him.

"Shouldn't you be in class, Harry?" Tonks asked him, taking stock of the situation.

"I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore, he sent for me but I don't know how to get up there," Harry confessed, and Tonks' hair shifted from blue to blond.

"Pocky sticks," she told the gargoyle, and it slid away to reveal the stairs. "There you go, Harry, you're not in trouble are you?" she looked slightly interested, but motioned for him to go. Harry nodded and dashed up the stairs to the door, which stood open.

"Harry!" Dumbledore was standing at the bookshelf; as he spoke, he slid a large red tome back into place. "I expected you a bit sooner, running late today?" His tone was not scolding; Harry nodded again and sat in the chair facing the desk and slid his bookbag to the floor. Dumbledore sat at his chair and Fawkes looked up from preening.

"These are certainly much different circumstances from the last time you were here," Dumbledore remarked, rifling through scatter papers on his desk. He found the desired one and set it on top.

"I hear that you have made friends with Professor Snape's widow, Belldani," Dumbledore said, and Harry agreed after a moment, unsure of what was at hand.

"I know this because she wrote to me and I am glad to hear it. According to the letter I was sent, you offered to be a companion to Belldani when she decides to visit Snape Manor. This is correct?"

"Yes, was that out of line?" Harry asked, still unsure of what Dumbledore was getting to.

"Not at all Harry," Dumbledore smiled, "She asked that on the first available Saturday for you to accompany her and I'm scheduling the first Hogsmeade weekend for the last Saturday of the month. However, if you have no other plans, I could arrange it for tomorrow if you wish…"

"Ron wants to have a meeting of the remaining Gryffindor Quidditch team members tomorrow morning," Harry explained, "But that should be over before lunch. I suppose tomorrow would be alright…" Dumbledore nodded.

"Professor Moody will be traveling with you, then, as a security caution. Severus hadn't returned to the manor since the Triwizard Tournament, I'm afraid," he got out parchment and quill and began writing. "Alastor will be waiting for you at the main doors at 11:00 tomorrow morning and the two of you will meet Belldani at the main gates. Any questions?"

"Acually, Headmaster, I wanted to know what's going on with everything." Harry made sure to emphasize his last word. Dumbledore looked up.

"As you know, there were no spottings of anything related to Death Eaters or Voldemort over the summer, besides what happened with that poor girl." He meant Belldani, of course. "I was surprised to hear that students were being inducted into his ranks, so naturally that is the true reason behind Remus, Tonks, and Moody being here. Be very careful, Harry. I am told that you can fight the Imperius curse, which is a strength you must not lose… There may yet be a wolf in sheep's clothing." Dumbledore sighed. Harry gave his word that he would keep an eye out for anything unusual, although he'd never had enough of usual to be able to spot a difference. By the time he got to Divination, class was nearly over.

"Where were you?" Ron gaped after Firenze dismissed them. Harry ignored him, looking for Hermione. They had DADA next and were hurrying up the stairs to class.

"Harry, answer me!" Ron snapped as Hermione joined them.

"What's Ron talking about?" she asked, and Harry cleared his throat.

"I was in Dumbledore's office for most of Divination," he told them, grabbing a seat near the front of class. "I have to do something for him tomorrow."

"You're a good man, Potter," Moody said to him, coming into the classroom from his office. "Albus just told me about tomorrow… Mind you I've only met Mrs. Snape twice, when Snape and I brought her back from the dead and at his funeral." He continued to the desk.

"What're you doing with Mrs. Snape?" Lavender Brown asked from the row behind them, horrified. Harry groaned inside, facing stares from Ron, Hermione, Lavender, Seamus and Dean.

"I offered to go with her to Snape's house," he found himself telling them, saved from further explanation by the start of class.