-Chapter Fifteen-
Second Chances
"So let me get this straight" said Hermione still sounding unusually doubtful as she clutched hold of the box of truffles for Professor Raven. "Professor Raven and Snape had fallen in love when she had been in her final year at Hogwarts"
"Yeah…hideous thought isn't it" Ron grumbled disgustedly from behind a huge bouquet of black poppies. It had been almost a week since the Halloween Ball and it was only now that Madam Pomfrey had allowed Professor Raven to have any visitors besides Professor Dumbledore and Snape, who had also been confined to bed.
"But Lucius Malfoy found out, he was jealous as he wanted her for himself so he blackmailed Professor Raven into stealing the Amulet of Sekhmet" Hermione continued with a frown.
"Yes…I think that his plan was to give it to Voldemort but then he lost his powers and Malfoy been biding his time ever since".
"But why did Raven steal the amulet if it was that powerful, surely she wouldn't have wanted it to fall into You-Know-Who's hands at any price?" said Ron
"True but I guess she was desperate to protect Snape…and she had no idea that she was handing over the amulet to the very man who had killed her family, I am sure if she had know the truth then she would have turn to Professor Dumbledore for help even if it meant exposing her relationship with Snape" replied Harry.
"You don't think…," Ron asked as they reach the corridor that lead to the hospital wing. "That Professor Raven has actually kissed Snape…like on the lips?" he grimaced at the thought.
"Of course she's kissed him" Hermione scolded trying not to smile at the contortions of revulsion that Ron's face was twisting into "that is what people in love do…in fact I think that it is quite romantic".
"Romantic!" Ron blurted out. "You've got a funny idea of what's romantic".
They all gasped in shock as walking into the ward they spotted Professor Raven she sitting in a chair next to Snape's bedside, her once long, wavy jet black hair now turned completely white. Snape was propped up against the pillows wearing woollen finger less gloves and a long black knitted muffler wound several times about his neck. He held tightly on to Professor Raven's hands as if frighten to let go, Snape looked more deadly pale then usual his black eyes almost lost within the large dark rings under them as if he hadn't slept all week.
"Potter, Weasley, Granger…" Harry saw Professor Raven squeeze Snape's hand and he forced a weak smile.
"How lovely to see you all" Professor Raven beamed "And flowers you are just too kind…I was just saying to Severus that I will be so glad when Madam Pomfrey allows him out of this place, I do so detest hospitals".
Harry's gaze fell upon a small, battered, leather bound notebook that lay upon Professor Raven's lap.
"Is that The Grimorium Neromanum?" gasped Hermione "But…but"
"Yes, a gift from Severus" Professor Raven replied with a smile, her violet eyes flickered in his direction. Harry though he glimpsed a sight blush rising to Snape's sallow, pinched features, he looked frozen as if caught in the icy chill of winter. "It seems that the anonymous seller was Professor Snape".
Harry looked at Snape, of course it was all starting to make sense now, the antique Slytherin pin, The Grimorium Neromanum Professor Bane must have left them to Snape, who he had looked upon as not only his prodigy but his heir. Harry frowned but that still didn't answer the question why Snape was avoiding Professor Bane's portrait, unless it was because he didn't want to explain why he had put the journal up for auction, and why had he done that? Snape looked at Harry; his black eyes glittered suspiciously within the dark, sleepless shadows and bore into Harry as if he was trying to steals his thoughts from him.
"It was among Professor Bane's items that were sent back to me from Transylvania after he…"
"Died" Harry offered quietly, as much as he still loathed Snape he could bring himself to argue, not now after he had come so close to death himself.
"Yes…apparently there are several crates of stuff still there, but I'm not interested. I can't say that the book held much sentimental valve and to be blunt, besides the first real translation of the Death Chant, the whole thing is a terrible bore, just the tedious raving of a mad man, so I put it up for auction. Then Planchette overheard Malfoy talking to Morwenna and lets it slip that she had an interested in the journal, so I withdrew it from sale"
"For which I am ever so grateful" smiled Professor Raven giving Snape's hand another tight squeeze. "It holds a lot of sentimental valve to me now" she lent forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek, Snape's face suddenly flushed as if the kiss had brought a little warmth to his icy flesh.
"You are still frozen my love" Professor Raven said with quiet concern. Ron groaned, muffling it with hand as if stifling a yawn but that didn't stop Hermione glaring at him crossly.
"I'm sure it will pass" Snape replied in a soothing, silky voice, "What's up with Weasley?" he continued looking at Ron. Snape wasn't the faintest bit interested in the boy's welfare, but it wasn't hard to guess what was ailing Ron.
"Oh Ron's just feeling a little sick" Harry replied quickly "He ate the first box of truffles himself…the pig"
Ron shot Harry an infuriated look which suggested to Harry that Ron didn't seem to think that his quick thinking had improved the situation.
"I think your right Potter" replied Snape "Looks like Wesley's turning a little green to me". Snape suddenly laughed, and for the first time to Harry's surprised Snape sounded genuinely, happy not just amused by the misfortunate of someone else.
"Ahh good Severus' awake. How are you feeling?" asked Professor Dumbledore with an apprehensive but welcoming smile.
"Much better thank you, still a little weak but then that is to be expected" Snape, his lips curled into a jealous sneer as his gaze fell upon Charlie Weasley, who had followed on the heels of Professor Dumbledore. Charlie ignored Snape's scathing glare and settled down into the empty chair next to Professor Raven still clutching a bag of grapes in his hand.
"Yes, I must confess that you had us all worried for a while my dear, that was a great risk you took saving Severus, but I am glad to hear that you are feeling better" said Dumbledore his attention now focused upon her .
"I'm sorry; it was a moment of panic, madness call it what you will, I just knew that I couldn't let…"
"I know…" Snape spoke in a soothing whisper, brushing a strand of silvery white hair from Professor Raven's distressed face. "But everything worked out, I'm here"
"Please don't upset yourself my dear, Severus is right, he's here with us, pretty much unscathed" said Professor Dumbledore "And although it is not my wish to risk upsetting you even more I must speak with you about the events of seven years ago"
"Surely this can wait Albus?" Snape asked bitterly "Morwenna's still very tried and distressed"
"Believe me Severus I have delayed with broaching this matter until the very last moment but I am afraid that time has been against us"
"It's okay Severus, we both knew this was coming" replied Professor Raven calmly. Charlie rose from his chair and started to usher Harry, Ron and Hermione out of the room.
"No, I think the children should stay and you too Charlie" Professor Dumbledore said firmly. Snape started to protest by a stern look from Dumbledore silenced him, for once he was in no position to argue and he knew it. Professor Dumbledore gestured for everyone to make themselves comfortable, Charlie sat back down his chair while Harry, Ron and Hermione preached upon the empty bed nest to Professor Raven.
"I have spoken at length with Morwenna while you've been resting and she has told me everything. She has assured me that no magic was used by you in order to gain her affections; but you must take full reasonability for the affair…I know that you were both consenting and of age, but you broke the rules Severus, abused your position of trust as her teacher..." Professor Dumbledore looked sternly at Snape and then sighed sadly "But…after what I witnessed on Halloween it seems to me heartless and very unjust to denied such a deep, passionate love a second chance as far as I am concerned that is all in the past however…"
"Lucius Malfoy" growled Snape with contempt
"Alas I am afraid Mr Malfoy won't be satisfied until he gets a resignation or he shall report you Severus to the Ministry of Magic…"
"Still he has a hold over us" snapped Professor Raven
"You know that if he goes to the Ministry my hands will be tied, I will have no choice but to dismiss you" Professor Dumbledore exchanged an anxiously glance with Snape, who looked just as worried "And that could have severe consequences for all of us, not to mention that I would lose a most valued Potions master"
"But surely in exposing Professor Snape, Lucius Malfoy in turn risks exposing his own involvement in the theft of the Amulet of Sekhmet?" Charlie suggested hopefully, he had been just as shocked as everyone else to learn of the secret love affair and he had even more reason to wish Professor Snape ill as he was still in love with Morwenna, but he also realised his resentfulness was futile, Morwenna loved Snape. "Where is the amulet now?"
"Unfortunately it's only Morwenna's word against Mr Malfoy that he blackmailed her into stealing it for him and I am afraid he just has too many friends in high places" Professor Dumbledore said despondently "As for the amulet that is safety tucked away in Professor Planchette's robe pocket, I thought it was only fitting that he should have the chance to restore his family's honour by returning to the temple his father…er…stolen it from, there it shall be destroyed so that if Lord Voldemort should rise again he shall never be able to get his hands upon it"
"But Lucius Malfoy openly admitted he was a servant of the Dark Lord, a Death Eater, I even heard him boasting that he had a part in the murder of Morwenna's family" Charlie protested "Surely we can use that against him, bring him to trial to pay for what he has done?"
"Again Mr Malfoy would use his influence, the trial would be a mockery and all that would be gained is the furtherance of Mr Malfoy's spiteful revenge, I am not just thinking of the safety of your family Charlie but of those among us who at great personal risk are working to bring an end to the Dark Lord forever, Patience Mr Weasley Lucius Malfoy will be put on trial for what he has done but not until we can be assured that he will never walk free" Harry wasn't certain but he thought that he saw Snape stiffen slightly when Professor Dumbledore mentioned 'those among us who at great personal risk' , he was starting to wonder if Snape had somehow been involved with Lucius Malfoy or the Death Eaters?
"However back to the problem in hand" Professor Dumbledore continued waving a letter in his hand and dragging Harry from his thoughts. "Mr Malfoy has assured me in writing that he will not take the matter to the Ministry of Magic if he gets a resignation by two o'clock today at the latest, it is one o'clock now so maybe you shall be able to understand why I have been forced to put you both through this unpleasantness"
"But how can we trust him?" asked Hermione
"Because I insisted that Mr Malfoy use a bewitched parchment, by signing this he is now bound to his word" Dumbledore explain with a twinkle in his eye
"Can I see that please Albus?" asked Professor Raven, she had remained silent throughout the conversation about putting Lucius Malfoy on trail even though it had been her family he had boasted about killing. To Harry's surprised Professor Dumbledore handed the piece of crisp white parchment to Professor Raven with a strange smile, the same strange smile suddenly flickered upon her lips as she scanned the letter.
"I shall resign" Professor Raven said quietly
"No Morwenna, I won't let you…" snapped Snape
"And what will you do instead; open a potions shop in Diagon Alley? No, Professor Dumbledore is right; your place is here at Hogwarts"
"But...but you can't resign in my place, surely…" Professor Raven showed him the letter; Snape glanced down at it and then let out a low, hoarse laugh.
"Good then that's settled" chirped Professor Dumbledore taking the letter back from Snape "I will inform Mr Malfoy straight away, I've already notified Miss Raven's replacement, he should be here in about a week, so the Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons will have to be postponed until then, I don't like it but it can't be help what with now being three members of staff down as it is"
"I should be well enough to return…" said Snape but he stopped as Madam Pomfrey gave him a disapproving shake of her head from where she sat at her desk.
"No Severus, I've given Madam Pomfrey strict instructions not to allow you or Morwenna from this hospital wing until she is entirely satisfied that you've both made a complete recovery. Professor McGonagall will be standing in for you in the meanwhile, she is quite capable of teaching Potions and can come to you should she encounter any problems. And now I think we should all leave Professor Snape and Miss Raven to rest" Charlie got up from his chair and after placing the grapes upon the table already covered in sweets and cards started to follow Professor Dumbledore towards the door. Harry could help by notice all but two of the cards were addressed to Professor Raven, Professor Snape had a card from Professor Planchette while the other to Harry's surprise was from Neville.
"Of course Charlie" Professor Dumbledore said in a slightly raised voice "that just leaves me to find an assistant, I just haven't got the time to catalogue the countless volumes and parchments in my office…"
"Oh really?" replied Charlie not quite grasping the point of the conversation but by the knowing smiles upon both Snape and Miss Raven's faces they knew exactly what Professor Dumbledore was up to.
"The problem is that I need someone I can trust, someone that knows my little ways and will fit in with the other members of staff, I really don't know where I am going to find such a person at such short notice…" Harry, Ron and Hermione all exchanged happy grins as they slipped off the bed and headed fro the door, relieved that Miss Raven wouldn't be forced to leave Hogwarts entirely. Good old Dumbledore thought Harry he's beaten Lucius Malfoy at his own little game.
Professor Snape gazed into Morwenna Raven's dazzlingly violet eyes, entwining his icy fingers with hers.
"I haven't had the opportunity to say thank you" he whispered softly "I own you so much, forgive me I treated you so badly but I…"
"Ssssh" Morwenna silenced him, placing a long, slender finger upon his lips. "We've been given a second chance; let's not waste it on raking up the past. I love you; Severus Snape isn't that now al that matters?"
"And I love…" but Snape didn't get to finish his sentence as Morwenna lent across the bed and kissed him passionately.
"Bloody Hell" griped Ron in sickened, disbelief as he peered through the glass window in the door. "She's actually kissing Snape on the lips!"
"Come on" Harry and Hermione groaned wearily as they dragged Ron back from the window by the sleeves of him robe. It was obviously that Ron, like his brother Charlie were going to have to get use to the idea however unpleasant they found it that Professor Snape and Miss Raven were deeply in love.
Harry looked at his friends as they all walked down the corridor towards the great hall for breakfast. Ron looked dejected and sour while Hermione hide her emotions better; it was only the desperate, longing sideways glance at Ron and the way she had reacted on Halloween, desperate that Harry stop Ron seeing her in such a shameful state that had given her away. Harry thought of Professor Snape, surely if he could win the heart of the one he loved then Hermione should have no trouble in doing the same, Ron would notice her in time…and if not by his own accord then…Harry secretly smiled to himself, he would just have to give his friend a nudge in the right direction!
Please Read and Review...A big thank you for those of you that read this far!
TBC?
A/N: I had begun a second tale to what I hadintended to be an on going story but got caught up in other tales...if anyone is interested in reading more please let me know by review and I shall dust off my notes...if not I shall work on theother stories that are crying for attention!