Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews guys!

Chapter 38

It was a day of excitement. The school year was finally over and the students were returning home for their well deserved summer holidays. The level of activity of the castle could be likened to that of a beehive. Hogwarts was positively buzzing with the comings and goings of the children as they made a last ditched attempt to gather up all of their belongings and pack them away for the train ride home. This day was always a sad one for Harry, for it meant that he was returning once again to the Dursley's to spend another miserable summer with his only living relatives. He hated it but he had no choice. He understood why it was necessary for him to be there. He longed for the day when he was an adult and could live on his own. That day was not so very far away. This year Harry had a short reprieve from his family. He was staying one day longer at Hogwarts to attend the wedding. Even one day less with them was a welcome break. Harry sat in the Gryffindor common room watching his fellow house mates scurry about.

"I don't understand why you're not coming home with me," said Ginny Weasley.

Ron said, "Look Gin, I've explained it to you. Dumbledore asked some of us to stay back to help him with a special project. I don't even know what it is, so I can't tell you anything more. It's only for one day, so I'll be home soon. Okay?"

"I want to help too. Let me stay. Please Ron? Harry?"

"It's not up to us, Ginny. Come on, we'll give you a hand with your things," answered Harry. She pouted all the way to the station.

After the majority of students had left the school, Severus and Jolicia strolled leisurely down to the train station.

"You're awfully quiet this morning, Severus. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he answered curtly.

Jo said, "I can tell that something is bothering you. Come sit with me and tell me what it is." She pulled him over to a bench under a large oak tree and sat down.

"Why do you always make me tell you how I'm feeling? Can't a man have some private thoughts? I'm not used to this!"

"I know you're not, love, but when something is wrong with you, I need to know about it. Perhaps I can help."

Severus muttered something under his breath.

"Beg your pardon?"

"I said I am worried about meeting your family. There, are you happy now? I've said it!" He folded his arms across his chest and looked away from her. "Why do you think I didn't go with you at Easter?"

Jolicia thought, "So that's why! He is so fragile in many ways, especially when it comes to his emotions." It never ceased to amaze her how he could be so strong and yet be so easily turned into a quivering mass of self doubt.

"My darling, they will love you, just as I do. You have nothing to worry about. Sev? Please look at me."

Turning he asked, "What have you told them about me?"

"I told them you are strong, handsome, brilliant, and sometimes a little too serious; also that you have a wicked sense of humor but don't show it very often. Oh, I almost forgot, sexy."

He looked aghast. "How could you say that to your parents?"

"Why wouldn't I say it?"

He just shook his head, not understanding this woman he was about to marry.

"Did you tell them about…about my other life?"

"No, Severus. That is between you and me. I only told them that we are keeping our wedding very low profile. I didn't tell them why." She saw him relax, just a little. "Come on, the train is pulling in." He felt like a lamb being led to slaughter.

When they realized she was on the platform, many of the students came up to Jo to say goodbye and to give her one last hug. She was going to miss them. In the midst of her goodbyes, she looked up towards the front of the train. She saw Hagrid extend his large hand and her mother stepped down onto the platform. She was quickly followed by her father, and then Robert bringing up the rear. She waved excitedly and ran to greet them.

"Jo, 'ere's yer folks," said Hagrid, obviously happy to have made their acquaintance. He watched them hug and said, "Ain't it loverly."

Just then the whistle blew and the Hogwarts train pulled away. There were shouts of bye, see you in September; take care; see you soon. It wasn't long before the only thing visible was the long column of smoke rising from the engine.

Jo said to her family, "Come on, there are lots of people I want you to meet."

She introduced them to Harry and Ron, who had come down to see Ginny off. Jo could tell that they were, especially her father, thrilled to meet Harry. His fame had spread throughout the wizarding world. She searched for Severus and found him lingering at the edge of the platform. She motioned for him to come over.

"Relax, love, relax," she thought, willing him to calm down. She suddenly found herself a little nervous.

"Maman, Daddy, Robert…this is Severus Snape, my fiancé."

Severus extended his hand and said, "Pleased to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Medwin. Robert."

"Call me Alaisdair, son. Welcome to the family!" said Jo's father, shaking Severus' hand vigorously.

"And I am Éliane. I am so happy to finally meet you, Severus." She hugged him and kissed both cheeks.

Robert shook his hand as well and clapped him on the shoulder saying, "Nice to meet the man who turned my sister upside-down. We'll have to get together later. Do I have some stories to tell you!"

"Rob! Don't you dare!" He just smiled and winked at his future brother-in-law.

"Come on, let's all go up to the school," said Jo brightly.

She watched as Severus offered his arm to her mother and personally escorted her up the path. She could tell her mother was impressed by his good manners; so was Jolicia. Her heart swelled with pride.

It was a busy afternoon. Jolicia introduced her family to Dumbledore and the rest of her colleagues. Albus and Alaisdair hit it off right from the start. They had much in common to discuss. Albus was quite interested to see how the Ministry of Magic operated in Canada. Alaisdair was all too happy to provide him with the details. They took the grand tour of Hogwarts and were favorably impressed by its grandeur. They could see why Hogwarts was the foremost wizarding school in the world. Even L'Académie back home paled by comparison. Late in the afternoon, Jolicia settled her family into the guest rooms so that they could rest a little before supper. Jo went to join Severus in his rooms.

She greeted him with a kiss and said, "I told you they'd love you."

"Do they really?"

"Yes. My mother never stopped talking about you all afternoon!"

"I like them as well. They are very warm. They are everything my family wasn't." He suddenly grew very still. Jo realized he must be feeling sad that his mother could not be with him to share in his joy. She hugged him very tightly. They sat quietly in each others arms until suddenly Severus cried out in pain. He was being summoned by Voldemort!

"No, no! Not now! I can't leave you tonight," he hissed through his pain. "What if I'm not back by tomorrow afternoon, Jolicia? I don't want to go!"

Jo was terrified, as she always was when this happened. The timing of this summons was particularly frightening. What if Severus had been found out?

"I don't want you to go either, but you know you have to. It would be too dangerous for you not to answer the call. I'll make up an excuse for your absence. I'll be praying you'll be back quickly." She did not voice her fears to Severus.

"I love you. I'll do everything in my power to be back for the wedding tomorrow." He kissed her deeply and left.

"I love you too," called Jolicia. She knew very well that he could not control when he would return - that was in Voldemort's hands. She just prayed that he would return - period.