Chapter 7
The next morning came in a blaze of summer color. It would have been much easier to live through the morning if it had been dark and drizzly. The brightness of the day did not match the sober events that were yet to take place.
Miss Ermengild arrived in the classroom for the last time. Today instead of carrying a book and notes for the day's lessons, she arrived with her cloak over her arm. When she entered the room, Severus was as usual in the window seat reading. She scanned the room as she entered, taking in its view for the last time. The house elves had already laid the things for breakfast in their same orderly fashion.
"Good morning," he said as he looked shyly up from the volume he had been reading.
"Shall we eat before it gets cold?" she asked? They sat at their usual places eating the same breakfast as they had for the past two years.
"Maybe Professor Quen will be a good teacher," she started. "You have never had a man for a teacher. You're older now, think of all of the things he can teach you."
"I suppose your right," answered Severus "I will be different, but I suppose it could be good too."
When they were almost done with the meal, Eugenie took her hand bag and opened it.
"I have something for you Severus," she said as she pulled out a small book "I picked it up the last time I was in London. It was to be a Christmas present but it will function just as well as a going away gift." He took the small book from her hand and began to scrutinize it. The book was small and bound with leather that had been tinted an odd shade of green.
"Open it," she said and as he did he looked up at her with a suspicious smile. "Don't get too excited," she continued. "It's just a reproduction but I thought you might enjoy it anyway. It is a copy of an old Roman wizard's diary with many references to potions. I not only thought you'd enjoy doing the translations but the topic may come in handy someday."
This time as he looked up his smile was genuine. Then he did something that he had never done before and it took Eugenie by surprise. Severus put his arms out and hugged her.
"I'm really going to miss you," he whispered.
"I'll miss you too. But Severus, remember what I said yesterday" She pulled him away so she could look him clearly in the eyes. "Knowledge is power. Learn everything you can and never quit learning. When you get to school things, will be different." This time she hugged Severus.
That very moment the door was unceremoniously cast open and Professor Quen stood before them. They dropped their embrace and turned to look in his direction. Professor Quen was not an imposing figure of a man. He was short, extremely thin, and balding, but his countenance said something different. If a man could look languishing and sinister at the same time, Professor Quen's visage was genuine. He swept into the classroom and looked at Eugenie.
"You are Miss Ermengild, I presume, and this is must be the young Mr. Snape?" Eugenie and Severus were still sitting at the table, which gave the professor the opportunity to look down upon them. It took a few moments for Eugenie to regain her composure and she rose to greet him with an extended hand and which the professor ignored.
"Yes, I am Eugenie Ermengild. I am very happy to meet you Professor Quen. You are quite correct. This is Severus your pupil." Severus rose to meet his teacher but the professor swept by and began scanning the books in the classroom shelves.
"Professor Quen, I have left for you . . . " Eugenie began endeavoring to sound like the professional educator she was but he cut her off in mid sentence.
"If you have good-byes to say, do it and get it over with. We have work to do here and I'm sure plenty of catching up to do. I have no need for silly emotion," he said with a sardonic tone.
She looked at Severus with tears in her eyes.
"One last good bye," she said as she gave him another hug. "Remember to learn everything you can."
"I will," the boy whispered. "You won't be disappointed."
They held their embrace for another moment until Eugenie broke it.
"I must go," she said as she reached for her cloak and handbag. " Do not forget" She turned for the classroom door and opened it for the last time.
As the door shut behind her the last word she heard was Professor Quen:" . . .
Things will be different here from now on . . . "
Thank you to everyone who read my story. You gave me many good suggestions and much encouragement.
Notes on names...
St. Valerius: Feast day June 14. Sts. Valerius and Rufinus were beheaded in 287 for being missionaries in Gaul.
St. Isaias, Bishop: Feast day May 15. Native of Kiev born in the eleventh century. He was know for his works of charity. Died in 1090 and his body was enshrined in the Cathedral in Rostov.
St. Ermengild: Feast day February 13. Daughter of King Erconbert, King of Kent, and Queen Sexburga. Married to King Wulfhere of Mercia. After her husband's death she went to the abbey at Minister - in - Sheppey which was founded by her mother. Ermengild became the third royal abbess of Ely. She died in 703.
Bl. Eugenie: Feast Day March 10. Born in Metz France in 1817. During a pilgrimage to the shrine of Sainte-Anne d'Auray in 1825 she felt called to founded a teaching institute that worked in the world, but kept monastic observances. In 1839 she founded the group later named the Congregation of the Assumption (Religious of the Assumption, Sisters of the Assumption) to perform this mission. The Assumptionists received papal approval in 1888. Died 1898.