Passing days
She was sitting on her favorite window seat in the Library and watched the clouds as an angry storm chased them until they united with a black stormy front beyond the Loch.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks. Three weeks had passed without any word from him. No one knew, where he was, it was as if the earth had opened to swallow him and the winds had blown to eradicate every trace of him.
Well, almost every trace.
This morning a letter had appeared at her nightstand. It was sealed with a black ribbon and a platinum ring with emeralds decorated with elaborate Celtic knots. She had opened it with trembling hands and soon her tears had stained the parchment.
"My beloved,
when you receive this letter it is highly likely that I am no longer alive. It is time-spelled to appear three weeks after the last time I set foot into the castle.
Please know, that I would never willingly leave you. If I have to leave without a goodbye the only reason can be to keep you safe from mortal danger.
Two other letters will be sent. One to the headmaster and one to my son, whom I could not acknowledge so far.
Twenty years ago I was married and lost my wife to the Dark Lord. I tried to keep her safe by arranging a false marriage with help of her friends, but she died protecting our son. I never had the chance to tell her and the world how proud I was of my Lady wife and how much I loved her. To protect my son I had to let him grow up with foster parents.
I never thought that I could love again, or care even more for a woman: for you.
I want you to be my wife, for I love you.
The headmaster has received a written promise to be handfasted. If you take this letter to him, accept my ring and let him use this ribbon to perform the spells, you will be Lady Hermione Snape immediately. He has knowledge of my last will.
Be gentle if my son approaches you, even though I have no doubt you will be, because you know him well.
If my last words are not "I love you" I simply had not the time to speak them.
Severus"
Soft footfalls approached her seat, which was unusual because nobody knew her hiding place.
She looked up through tearstained eyes and saw a young man standing in front of her, a letter dangling forgotten in his hand. His emerald eyes met hers as his voice, strained with grief, addressed her:
"You have received my fathers letter…"
She choked and whispered: "Harry…."
"He told me to care for you. I didn't even know he was my father and I thought he hated me! And now I've lost him before I could get to know him!" he sighed deeply and gathered his strength.
"Is it true…with him and you?"
He sat down next to her and gave her his handkerchief. She wiped her nose and her hand absently toyed with the ring.
"Yes, Harry", she whispered. "I love him with all my heart. Even though I don't know if I should accept his proposal in absence. I want to hear these words from his lips and know he is not dead, but something has occurred…
She gathered her courage to face him and gently placed his hand on her belly. "I am expecting your brother or sister.."
"Then you must accept it, 'Mione. A single witch having a child simply isn't done! Spare the baby the shame…"
She nodded and patted Harrys hand. "What did he tell you?"
"He told me that he was secretly married with my mother but had to keep it a secret, that the Marauders helped them and that he can only acknowledge me as a son to you and Dumbledore right now, to protect me. He told me, that my mother charmed my features and that they will reverse, when my magic gets stronger than hers. He told me to bide my time, to learn as much as I can and to help you. But he told me nothing of the baby…"
"He didn't know. It was conceived the night he had to leave me."
For another moment she looked outside. A black storm cloud had a white lining that shone brilliantly. This seemed to be a sign for her and so she rose and went with Harry to see the Headmaster.
In her memory the next hours were blurred. She heared the Headmaster speak about his letter and how he was a little bit annoyed about his potions master and the headgirl having an affair. Harry hadn't mentioned the impending arrival of his sibling and she choose silence for the moment as well.
Dumbledore performed the rites and declared her Lady Snape and decided, that Harrys connection to Severus Snape should be kept secret for obvious reasons.
Dumbledore saw them descending the spiral stairs, determined to never give up on Severus.
This determination grew like Hermiones stomach as days passed by.
6
