Chapter 23: The Nature of Forgiveness
A couple days later and things had almost returned to normal, meaning the castle ground no longer looked like they'd been a war zone. All exams except for the mandatory OWLS and NEWTS had been cancelled and many parents had pulled their children out of the school thinking it was no longer safe. Others argued that because Hogwarts had withstood the attack that it was the safest place in Britain. I knew differently because I knew the Death Eaters had been ordered to withdraw the moment they had me in their possession. Grandpa knew that as well but he wasn't any more inclined then I was to tell anyone. Though I had a nasty suspicion that he had told Harry due to the fact that Harry seemed much more inclined to keep and eye on me.
I didn't want him around, I didn't want anyone around, because I alone had screwed up. All my life I'd assumed that because I was Dumbledore's granddaughter I was special, that I was just like him and could do anything. And until a couple nights ago nothing had really happened to prove me wrong, I'd done well in school and any other endeavour I chose to pursue and I was always able to get myself out of the trouble I walked into. But a couple nights ago that illusion had vanished and I had discovered what I had always suspected in the back of my mind; I was only important because I am Dumbledore's granddaughter. Just like he'd told me all those years ago when I'd been told to keep it quiet that I was related to him so his enemy's didn't get me.
But I screwed up; I left the photos out where Draco could see them underestimating the youngest Malfoy and never told Severus. Now I was paying for my mistakes, Hogwarts had come under attack because of me and I'd lost Severus forever.
So I sat at the edge of the lake on a warm summer day feeling as cold as if I'd just been in the wash of a killing curse. As students Severus and I had always sat here and talked, sharing secrets that we'd told no one else, I'd told him before anyone else that Death Eaters had killed my parents, we'd had our first kiss here, and it was here during one summer that I'd held an almost seventeen year old who Grandpa had just rescued from Azkaban after he'd let loose a burst of wandless magic that had killed his father – in Severus' defence his father had beaten him his whole life – and here that a frightened and confused young man confessed to me that he'd become a member of the organisation that killed my parents. Part of me had always assumed that this would always be our spot, but now because I'd never told him my deepest secret we'd probably never sit here together again.
There was a sudden crunch of stone and much to my surprise Severus sat down beside me staring out across the water. "Your Grandfather spoke to me," he said evenly.
I knew that, he'd told me that he'd talked at Severus for the better part of an hour but Severus had never given any indication of hearing him.
Then Severus looked at me. "And I suppose he made me start thinking. Thinking about no matter what I did, however badly I screwed up, and no matter how many times, you still forgave me and took me back and I'd be selfish if I condemned you for one incident."
I stared at him barely able to believe what I was hearing having not expected it even in my greatest hopes.
"And I realised something else, something that deep down I've known for a while, and that is that I need you in my life, permanently. So after this war is over and there's no more need for secrecy will you marry me?"
He opened his hand to reveal a ring and for a long moment all I could do was stare at him in shock before throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him knocking him onto his back.
"There are students…" he started but I cut him off by kissing him again.
"I don't care, let them see. And yes I'll marry you."
"I had figured that out."
I thumped him in the chest with the palm of my hand.
"After all one does not normally kiss someone they do not intend to say 'yes' to."
I thumped him harder this time.
"I believe even Potter could have figured it out."
"I'm going to end up breaking a bone you'll need later."
Smirking he stood up helped me to my feet sliding the ring onto my finger as he did so.
As we walked back to the castle I said, "Tell me something, you mentioned that there's still a need for secrecy so how did you manage to convince Voldemort that you're still on his side given everything that's happened?"
"I simply told him that the old fool believes I was simply acting."
"And he believed you?"
"He always believes me."
"You're much more talented at Occlumency then I ever gave you credit for then."
He stopped walking and said, "I'm talented at a great many things," before kissing me.
There's the sound of feet skidding to a halt and I pull away from him to see Harry standing there looking like someone had just hit him across the face with a very heavy, blunt object.
"Potter!" Severus bellowed and Harry took off so fast he almost tripped over his own feet.
"That impudent, little…" Severus seethed.
"Sev, shut up and leave Harry alone," I said before kissing him.
FIN