Severus Snape sat at the table reserved for those who had received the Order of Merlin 1st Class during the war against Voldemort. This feast was being held at Hogwarts as a reminder of the past 5 years of peace. Five years since Harry Potter had cast the killing curse on Voldemort, completing the prophecy and allowing everyone to settle into a life without fear. Severus could hardly claim any peace. He was still the Potions teacher, feared and worshiped. His role in the final battle was large.

He remembered that night perfectly. When he had woken up after being knocked out by the blinding light he found himself in the midst of a large battle. But everyone was using magic. It didn't take too long to figure out what had happened. Taking a wand from a dead Death Eater, he was happy to find it work for him rather than react against his magic. He was among the few to protect Potter as he reached the Dark Lord. When the battle ended everyone was surprised to find many that they had believed dead now walking among them. Dumbledore had tearfully greeted him, surprising Snape. He later learned that Dumbledore had not been killed, but simply had gone into hiding while a member of the Order had taken the Polyjuice potion to keep up Dumbledore's appearance. Charlie was reunited with his family but sad to find that Bill and Fleur had been killed along with their new child a few nights earlier. After that the next few days were solely for celebrations and awards. Severus had been surprised at attaining the highest medal, but humbly accepted it in honor of those who had died. He tried hard to forget for the next three years, but his memories kept coming. He could never forget the feel of a limp witch over his shoulder. He could never forget how powerful she had been in battle. And he could never forgive himself for not stopping her.

After those three years he managed to slowly push everything away. He was creating potions to help the wizarding world on his spare time. Anything to help him forget. But every year he was forced to remember. The stupid Winning Feast was every year on the same day. Dumbledore had dragged him to it for the last four years. So now the 31 year old Professor sat at the highest table, a scowl being sent out towards all. He wore fancy black robes and his medal, but nothing special. Still, women eyed him and winked. Being a war hero had given him a chance to get laid every night, but he only took advantage of that when he couldn't sleep and a potion refused to work.

Realizing Albus was talking to him, Severus turned his head. "I beg your pardon?"

Albus smiled and nodded toward the large dance floor spread out underneath them. "I said that you seem to have caught someone's eye."

Severus's eyes quickly scanned the floor. A few women winked, but he knew that wouldn't draw Dumbledore's attention. Finally his eyes met the sparkling eyes of a man only a few years older than himself. The blue eyes pierced deep, digging up memories. The man had black hair with streaks of silver. Wrinkles were beginning around his mouth and eyes. On his arm there was an older woman, probably in her 40s. He nodded toward Severus and motioned toward a corner.

Not understanding why, Severus stood quickly and went to the corner, waiting for the man to meet him. It didn't take too long.

"Severus! I am happy to see you! I had heard that you were alive."

"I cannot say that I know who you are," he responded stiffly, eyeing the cheerful man.

"Oh?" the man chuckled. "I am Finian Sterk. I aged a bit more when I was injured, but I have still kept my physique."

"Finian?" Severus whispered in shock, memories of the broken body running through his mind.

"Aye," he grinned, sticking out his hand. "I would like to thank you for taking care of Jessica."

"Jessica?"

"Aye. For taking her out of the mountain. No doubt that was hard to do. I know how she can be."

"What do you mean?'

"You don't know?" Finian's eyebrows shot up in shock.

"Know what?" Severus snarled.

"Fin? Who is your friend?"

"Melba! This is Severus Snape, you know that!" the man quickly turned to the older woman.

"A pleasure, Professor Snape," she bowed her head.

She was a pleasant woman with long blond hair that was pulled back. Her eyes held the same cheerfulness Finian's did.

"I am sorry! Severus, this is Melba, my wife."

"Ah yes. Your wife," he nodded. "I forget sometimes that you had a life other than… what I remember."

Finian laughed. "So do I! Ah well, Melba, go get the children. I would love for them to meet Professor Snape."

She smiled and quickly left.

"Now, back to what I was saying," Finian turned to him slowly, the smile fading. "You haven't heard anything of Jessica? Do you remember Jessica?"

"Jessica Black is the only one I can't seem to forget," Severus snapped, his dark eyes narrowing.

"Well what have you heard?"

"I have heard nothing concerning her!"

Finian studied him carefully before nervously looking away. "Oh. Well it isn't my place to tell you then."

"Tell me what?" he snarled, picking the older man up by the neck of his robes and shoving him into the wall.

"Don't you wonder how I am alive, Severus?"

"I suppose the thought has crossed my mind in the past few minutes," he rolled his eyes.

"Jessica somehow brought us home. We woke up near the end of the battle."

"That's impossible. I saw her die. I felt for a pulse."

"Well she sure as hell wasn't a ghost when she killed those Death Eaters! She was also admitted to the medical tent for a few days of recovering before disappearing. She has been owling me for the past two years. It was a pleasant surprise to hear from her. Just recently she came to meet my family. She is much more relaxed now that she does not have to watch her back."

"Finian, you must be mistaken," Severus muttered, a hand running through his long black hair.

"Unfortunately for you, I am not. Is it so bad?"

"She… no one has heard from her. Charlie… Albus… even Cadman! There has been no mention of her!"

"That is because for the past five years she has been recovering while traveling the world. The only other person who knows she is alive is Charlie, and he swore not to tell anyone until she did. But I thought she had told you."

"Why me? I am no one at all. Just an old Professor and soldier," he spat out bitterly.

"No, you are her personal savior. She looked up to you and in the end you saved her life. Which means you saved my life. Severus, she practically idolized you. She often mentioned your recent discoveries in some letters. I had assumed she had spoken with you."

"I am a nobody, Finian. Thank you for your time, but now I must go. Give your best to the family for me."

Finian watched as the man quickly left, his robes billowing out. He had no way of knowing that his words would effect the dark man. He had no idea that Jessica Black would be stuck in Severus Snape's head once more. Only this time he wondered what she looked like now and why she had avoided contacting him. Why she had avoided taking the award she had earned.