Whew! Update! Yay! Alright...alright...just read it already, I know you're all dying to! Hahaha!

Ch.18 Familiar face

Harry was relieved that Renee and Snape had worked things out, he felt uneasy the whole time she'd been locked inside her room.

"I'm off to work, now!" Harry called out towards the art-studio, "Alright! Dinner should be ready by the time you get home!" Renee shouted back.

>>>>>

"What do you think of this one, Dart?" Renee raised an eyebrow at the husky as it tilted it's head, looking at Renee's latest painting. It was a potrait of Dart himself, standing tall on all fours, a fierce, determined look in his glassy, grey eyes.

"Oh, come on! I think it looks perfect! Just like you!" Renee laughed as she carefully took the canvas off the stand and placed it aside to dry.

"Fine, I'll do another one. Just don't step on this one while it's dr-SHIT!" Renee jumped back when her foot knocked over a can of black paint all over the portrait. She quickly ran to get a rag and instantly started dabbing at the canvas to take off the black paint "Damnit, damnit, damnit!" she cursed as she tried to save the painting.

As most of the black paint was off most of the canvas, the actual painting of Dart was still splotched with black, no longer making it look like her husky. She paused for a second, looking at the now black dog on her canvas, large and strong looking with intense grey eyes.

"This dog..." Renee gazed at the 'ruined' painting, the slight feeling of deja vu keeping her entranced for several minutes until Dart's loud barking snapped her back to reality. That's when she realized that someone was at the front door "I'll be right there!" she called out before dropping the painting back onto the ground.

>>>>>

Severus stormed the entire castle, looking for Dumbledore. The old wizard was not in his office, nor did any professor seem to know of his whereabouts.

"You'd better not be where I think you are!" he growled under his breath, ignoring the frightened looks from passing students. Once he reached his own office again, he slumped in his chair, burying his head in his hands "Please, don't ruin this for me...".

>>>>>

"Oh...who are you?" Renee blinked several times, unsure of the man standing at her front door. His long white hair and beard made her first think of the old rock band, ZZ Top, but the old man's attire made her think more along the lines of...

"My name is Albus Dumbledore. I am the Headmaster of the school your...fiance, works at." his eyes twinkled as he kept eye contact with his polite bow.

"Right..." Renee blinked again before shaking her head "Oh, right! Haha, of course. Umm, come on in..." she gestured him inside.

"Excuse the mess..." she then looked down at her painted covered smock and laughed timidly "Including myself...if you'll just excuse me for a moment to change...".

"Of course, take your time dear." the old man smiled and nodded, looking around almost in childish curiousity.

"Take a seat anywhere you'd like. I'll only be a minute!" Renee called out from down the hallway, entering her room. The second she shut the door she looked around frantically for something 'presentable' to where for her fiance's boss. She sighed dreamily as she held the hand wearing her engagement ring "Fiance...oh shit, clothes!" she scrambled around and settled for a pair of fitted jeans, tank top and sweater.

>>>>>

She found the old man, Albus Dumbledore, sitting in the living room still looking around at all the knick knacks decorated here and there.

"Would you like anything to drink, Mr.Dumbledore?" Renee asked nervously, she couldn't put her finger on it but something was familiar about this man.

"Perhaps some tea? If it's not too much trouble for you." he smiled warmly "Oh, and you can just call me Albus, if you'd like. Severus does." he added at the nervous look she had.

"Oh...ok...Albus. Tea it is, coming right up." Renee nodded and left for the kitchen, hoping the she actually had tea to make.

>>>>>

Dumbledore watched her leave and disappear into the kitchen before taking a small vial out of his coats pocket. He was still wearing his usual robes, but had a muggle style coat on over to look somewhat 'normal' for her. After a few minutes, Renee returned, looking somewhat triumphant "For a second I was afraid I wouldn't have any tea!" she laughed. Just before she sat down, Dumbledore cleared his throat "Oh my, would I be a bother to ask for some lemon and honey in my tea?".

"No, not at all..." she looked torn about whether to leave the tray holding the cups in the living room or bringing it back into the kitchen with her. She finally set the tray down and laughed again "I'll just bring the lemon and honey out to you.", and again, Dumbledore waited until she disappeared into the kitchen to pull the vial back out. He quickly tipped the contents into the cup closer to where Renee would be sitting then placed the empty vial back into his pocket, grabbing the untouched cup so as to not get them mixed up.

>>>>>

"Found'em!" Renee smiled as she re-entered the living room, setting a small plate with lemon wedges and a bottle of honey down on the tray.

They sat there for a few seconds before Renee's nervous laughter became audible, Dumbledore smiled nervously at her "Is something the matter dear?".

"I, uhh...was just wondering why you stopped by...am I in trouble with the magical world or something? Is Severus not supposed to marry a moogle or whatever that word was?" Renee furrowed her brow, slightly pouting.

"Oh!" the old wizard laughed "No, no, nothing like that. Actually, I wanted to congradulate you personally. You see, I have known Severus since he was a student at my school and I am very happy for you both!".

Renee relaxed a little now, stirred her tea before asking her next question "Is that all you came by for? Not that I'm insisting you leave or anything!".

"Yes and no..." Dumbledore made sure to keep his tone calm and even, not wanting to make her any more nervous than she was.

"You see, as I just said, I've known Severus since he was a student at my school and he's never really been...happy." Dubledore started, inwardly smiling when he saw Renee take a sip of her tea.

"Really? What about when he was with, I think her name was, Cecelia? Or was that after school? I don't fully remember the story..." Renee bit her lip, feeling a little jealous at the thought of the girl she never met.

"Aa, yes, well...I never whitnessed it for myself, but...I can assure you, you have made him the happiest I've ever seen him." Dumbledore pat her hand comfortingly.

Renee took another sip of her tea, trying not to grimace while thinking to herself 'No wonder I never drank tea before', "So...has Severus also told you about-".

"The wonderful news of you both becoming parents? Yes, again, I congradulate you!" Albus smiled warmly, the usual twinkle in his eyes.

"Well...then, umm..." Renee wracked her brain for a new question, "I haven't been told about your occupation, if I might ask..." Dumbledore placed his cup down, looking around again.

"Right, ok..." Renee took one more sip of her tea before placing the cup down and gesturing for Dumbledore to follow her "I can show you my art-studio!".

>>>>>

"My, my...you are very talented dear. May I be so bold as to ask a favor of you to paint something for myself?" the old wizard looked at the various works displayed.

"Sure! I'd be happy to..." Renee looked Dumbledore over then nodded to herself "As long as I remember who I'm paiting for, something will come to mind!".

"Oh, I'm sure an old man like me is easily forgetable by someone as lovely as you." Albus laughed, "Not at all! Actually, you looked familiar to me when I first saw you!" Renee laughed as well.

Dumbledore stopped, taking in her words then smiled to himself, glad that his thoughts were possibly correct and his plan should go well.

"Must have an uncle or something with similar features or something..." Renee shrugged, heading out of the room.

Dumbledore went to follow right behind her before his eyes caught sight of a painting of a familiar...friend...but he only glanced at it, not wanting to keep Renee waiting.

>>>>>

"Well, as lovely as it's been, I must go back to the school. I'm sure Severus is steaming out his ears at my absence. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Renee." Dumebledore gently shook her hand.

Renee chuckled slightly and nodded "Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you too, Mr- err, Albus.". After the old wizard left, she returned to the living room to clean up the tea cups, she looked at her own cup and sipped it again.

"Bleh! Why do I keep drinking this stuff?" she wrinkled her nose and shuddered slightly before gathering the dishes to place into the sink to wash.

>>>>>

"Where have you been? No wait! Don't answer that because I already know!" Severus stomped back and forth in Dumbledore's office, the old wizards sat at his desk looking happy as ever.

"Severus, I honestly don't understand why you're so upset." Albus fixed his glasses then placed his hands, folded, on his desk.

"Why were you over there? Tell me!" Severus' voice boomed, scaring himself slightly, never having yelled like that before, let alone to Dumbledore.

"I simply wanted to meet the woman that has lifted your heart and spirits so high, Severus, that's all." the old wizard smiled "And might I say, she is absolutely lovely!".

"That's not the only reason you were there! I know it! Tell me! NOW!" Severus slammed a fist onto his mentors desk, making them both jump slightly.

"Alright, alright...I may have done something while I was there, nothing bad mind you..." Dumbledore added, seeing the concern in the younger mans eyes.

"I simply made it so, if she is, in fact, Cecelia...she will start to remember...", "And if she isn't Cecelia? And by what means did you do this?" Severus' anger ebbing away while full on worry took over.

"A potion, safe enough for her condidtion...and if she is not Cecelia then...nothing will happen and you'll still have your bride, Renee!" Dumbledore finished with a smile and eye twinkle.

>>>>>

"Renee, I'm home!" Harry called out, smelling the delicious scent of dinner in the kitchen from the front entrance.

"Renee?" Harry called out again, slightly worried now when he heard the soft sounds of sobbing coming from the kitchen. When he entered, Renee was seated at the table, head in her hands, crying.

"What's wrong? Did Snape do something stupid again?" he joked, a small chuckle escaped Renee's lips as she looked up and weakly smiled.

"I was just sitting here and then...I don't know...it was just weird..." she sniffled before placing a smile on her face "I'm sorry, must be the hormones." she rubbed her tummy.

"Right...well, dinner smells great!" Harry laughed, Renee nodded and went to get up but Harry stopped her, "I'll make you a plate, you just relax, alright?".

"Alright...thank you..." Renee shook her head, wondering to herself, trying to remember what had caused her to start crying in the first place 'Severus...'.

Ok, not very long, but alot is going on...anyone get any of my hints in there? Hehehe! Please, review and be kind!