Chapter Thirteen – A Unexpected Engagement

Severus woke the next morning. The light from outside was peeking in through a small slit in the curtains. The ember was still glowing in the fireplace and the whole room scented of flowers. The bones in his body ached, as did his muscles. Slowly, he raised himself and noticed that even thought the room was foreign to him the style was very familiar. His clothes had been changed; the prison clothes had been removed from him but when, he was not sure. Flowers sat on a nightstand and a little get well card sat beside it.

Hullo Mr. Snape,

I hope you feel well soon.

Luna Lovegood

A frown took him. Luna? Bit by bit, he opened the curtains closing his eyes and forcing them to part again. He did not open them more than half way. Luckily, for him it was a cloudy day. Out in the gardens walked Neville with the blonde girl he called his girlfriend. Severus now knew exactly where he was. The gardens were in full bloom and the grass green. In the distance he could see the lake-house that he had such fond memories of.

"Master Snape is awake." Tula said rushing over to the bed and starting her morning duties. "Does master want his coat?" she asked levitating it above her head.

Severus looked down at the black pants he now had on and a white button up shirt. "Shouldn't I change?"

"Oh no. They are fresh. Mistress put those on you this morning… night… morning… morning/night," she grinned.

After having lived in the same clothes for a year, he figured it would do. The coat fit nicely but it was suddenly too warm for his liking. The halls were as grand as he had remembered them. Unfortunately, the small house elf had opened every curtain in the palace. His eyes burned and still he managed to find his way outside. Neville and Luna stopped the moment they saw him walk out the back door and down the steps.

"Hullo Mr. Snape." Luna smiled.

"Miss Lovegood, Mr. Longbottom," he shielded his eyes to look at them. "Where may I find the lady of the house?"

"In Roma…" Luna started but Neville interrupted.

"She's not here and wishes not to be disturbed at her present location. I see you are feeling well."

Severus looked around him, "Yes, I am feeling much better. I really need to speak to her Neville."

They young man shook his head at him, "I cannot help you."

Getting rather frustrated he stared at the boy and sure enough in his mind was everything he needed to know. There was something else though… Something then sent his mind out of Neville's. "She's getting married?"

The couple looked at him in shock. He heard Luna think to herself about how Neville had only just told her and it was impossible for him to know. "Leave her alone Snape, it's been a long time since you left her."

The warm summer breeze was blowing he looked up straight at the sky now. The brightness stung his eyes and yet he did not care. The dark clouds were moving over them and a drop of rain fell on him. "I love her Neville. I didn't want to leave her but dying would not have gotten us far either."

Luna turned to Neville and her eyes suddenly seemed to be filled with sympathy for Severus. "I think we should just let him go."

Neville bit his lip, "What are you going to do once you get over there?"

"I'm not sure yet. You have to know as her adopted son… You have to know whether or not I would be wasting my time." He looked into Neville's mind but the boy pushed him out.

"No, I don't know. Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you." He curled his lip, "Can't you see she doesn't want you?"

Luna slapped his arm, "That was rude. She cares about him a lot. We all know that. Why would she have fought to bring him out of prison and then brought him to her own home?"

Neville looked deep into Severus's black eyes, "You don't deserve her."

Severus turned and walked back into the house. He agreed with Neville. There was nothing he could do or give to her. So many horrible things had been done and now all he could do was respect her wishes. The halls seemed endless as he strolled down to the other side of the palace and up the stairs. Two large doors stood before him tightly shut. It was Alexandria's room. He would never forget it. He forced it open and walked in. Everything was perfectly placed. The same picture of her and her sister sat on the dresser. The two were nothing alike. Her sister was shorter with blonde hair and green eyes.

"What are you doing in here?" Neville asked.

Snape rolled his eyes and fell back on the bed. "Nothing, just laying around."

"Why?"

"I don't know Mr. Longbottom, what else am I supposed to do with myself?"

"Get a job. You don't have your position at Hogwarts anymore."

"I… know… that…"

"Well what do you want to do?" Neville asked tapping his foot and crossing his arms.

" I want to talk to Alexan…"

"No! Why don't you go and do something… Anything! Just, not that."

Severus stood up and walked out pushing past the young man. "We'll see." He made sure to grab his coat before walking out the front door. The gravel crunched under his feet. Why am I even walking? I'm not going to get anywhere like this… He stopped and sighed.

Remus had been so startled at seeing his old colleague appear in the fireplace of his home. He thought of how much better Severus looked since he had last seen him. The beard still had to go. In contrast to his face, his clothes were very refined and clean cut. Something about the way he carried himself was rather different. It was more of like when they were students at Hogwarts. He looked down a lot and only occasionally looked up here and there. When he had been the feared Professor Snape he never once looked down; He prowled the castle with his chin high and a sort of confidence was with him. "So tell me old friend, what can I do for you?" Remus asked taking a seat across from the man in black.

"Lupin, how did you manage so many years not being able to keep a job?"

"Not very well. Sometimes I'd be without a job for over a month."

"I need to do something with myself. Alexandria has made it perfectly clear that she… Well, she doesn't want me in her life anymore. I cannot just live at her house because I have my own home. Plus, she'll be married to Charlie soon enough…"

"Charlie? She's saying yes? But she hardly likes the bloke." Remus said leaning back in his chair. "Well, I guess she likes him a lot more than she let on."

"Lupin, would you go see her, if you were me?"

"No… I'm much to shy for that. It took me a year to see Nymphadora. You know that, I'm just not brave like you are. Still, if she has made it clear that she does not want to see you then, I'd leave her alone."

Severus nodded and looked around him. The house he was sitting in was actually rather nice. It was two floors and filled with furniture, paintings, and china. It seemed that Remus was doing well now. "Is this your home or Miss Tonks home?"

"Its both of ours. We bought it last month. Our business is doing really well. I run the new wand shop in Diagon Alley. Mr. Ollivander's disappearance was rather odd, but we couldn't very well leave all the new wizards and witches to find a wand shop miles and miles away so we opened one."

"How did you afford that? With…

"No. Nymphadora gets paid well with the Ministry but it was actually Alexandria who bought the wand shop. She invested a lot of money on the store and the merchandise. I thought she was only going to hire me but it ended up being that when I signed "employment papers" as she had put it, they were actually for me to be the owner."

"She gave you the whole shop?"

"Yes, she is quite a doll. Ron Weasley actually works for me." Remus smiled, "Tea?"

"No. Mr. Weasley is quite a clumsy boy don't you think?"

"Tonks is far worst, so I am used to it. Would you like to work for me Severus?"

It was a sudden and unexpected offer. Severus knew he did not have many options and it would certainly keep him out of the house. Yet… he would never lower himself to work with Ron. "No thank you Remus I think I'll just stick to the muggle world from now on. Plus, I'm sure your customers might be frightened at seeing me in there. I will forever be "the man who killed Dumbledore.""

Remus frowned, "Listen, if you have some money you should try investing it into some stocks or something. It may work better for you than actually going out and finding a job anywhere else."

Severus nodded and stood up, "Thank you Lupin." For the first time ever he held out his hand for the werewolf. They shook and he was on his way. The next few weeks he spent changing his galleons into British pounds. The Gringotts' goblins had been rather suspicious of him and very hesitant in changing so much money. They had set a limit for every week. It bothered Severus a lot considering it was his money with it and he would do as he pleased. He actually read every newspaper he could find in London, researching stocks and all the things that were happening in the world that might affect the ones he bought. He was well on his way after about a month and a half, when he received an owl at his house. It was from Neville. The parchment was very refined, no doubt it was hand made paper. The gold ribbon on it scared him. More than likely it was the wedding invitation.

Severus sat in his chair staring at the beautifully crafted message. Still he would not open it. Two days had passed and another arrived. This one was rather plain, it read:

Mr. Snape,

I have written this letter to make sure that you are well and have received

the parchment that preceded this letter. It is an invitation to an engagement

party given by Mr. & Mrs. Weasley at the palace. I honestly do not expect

that you should like to come but hope that you will, if and only if you will

be a gentleman about it. You are not welcomed if you come to bring her grief.

You mean a lot to her I know but she has moved on, as should you. Please

respond if you should decide to come under these conditions.

Neville Longbottom

He sneered at the letter and threw it aside. Why the bloody hell would he want to go? To see the woman he loved in the arms of another man? Unlikely…

"I expect to see you there." Remus's voice came from behind him.

"What are you doing here Lupin?" He stood and turned.

"Well you want to be present so that she sees you and is sure this is what she wants to do. Right?" he patted Snape's shoulder

Severus almost laughed at how evil the thought was and even more so because it came from Remus. "I was unaware of your disdain for Mr. Charlie Weasley."

"Its not that I don't like him. I do. I just don't think she's doing it for the right reasons. And I think you're part of it." Lupin was right, he had to speak with her and there, not even Neville could stop him. "I do hope you shave at least ol' chap. don't want to go in there looking wild. It will be a very elegant party so dress the part."

Severus nodded and watched as Remus grabbed some floo powder and disappeared in the fireplace. Lupin's idea was not all bad. In fact he thought it might actually work. No. I cant do that to her. What if I go and she ends up despising me for it? Either way, I will lose her. He picked up the letter and threw it in the trash. There was no way he would go to make a fool of her or himself.

Severus looked up at the palace. Lights could be seen in almost every window of the first floor. Coaches filled the long driveway up. There were ribbons hanging from every lamppost lighting the way. He could not believe he was here. No one could be through the glass on the doors. Pushing them open just slightly he walked in and shut them quickly. There was a piano playing in the next room over. Severus did not enter. Instead he walked up the stairs to the room he had woken up in over a month ago. What am I doing here? Remus had told him the date and time, reminding him to go. I should have stayed home. It was too late now, taking a deep breath he walked back down and into the large room everyone seemed to be in.

It was most likely the ballroom. The walls were covered in gold vines and mirrors. There were so many people there he could hardly believe it. He walked through only nodding at some, those who introduced themselves to him. Severus saw Remus standing along side Tonks, both were dressed nicer than he had ever seen. Neville walked up to him, "I honestly didn't think you'd make it."

"Well I'm here."

"Don't do anything to upset her. She will be down soon. You could start by congratulating Charlie. He's right over there," he said pointing toward the man standing beside Mrs. Weasley. He was not as tall as Percy or Ron, but shorter and broader at the shoulders. He was not in full suit like everyone else. Instead he had left the vest and jacket aside somewhere and chose to wear the white blouse with his sleeves rolled up. If Severus had not been mistaken he seemed like he would be exactly Alexandria's height. Slowly he walked past Neville who was quickly getting on his nerves. Thankfully, Remus saved him before he even made it to Charlie.

"Severus, you made it!" he exclaimed handing Severus a glass of champagne that he knew he would put down somewhere having never touched it.

"Yes… unfortunately…"

"I'm surprised you even bothered then." Mrs. Weasley said turning, having heard his comment.

He sneered at her and turned away but he could not escape fast enough. Charlie walked right in front of him. "Don't ruin this… You are a guest in this house," he whispered.

"As are you." Severus curled his lip, "Get out of my way Weasley."

"Ok, the both of you stop." Remus said cutting in between. "Why don't you say hullo to Alexa, Severus?"

"She's not down yet." Charlie said walking away, "but I'll go and get her."

"Remus… I have to go. Anymore of that midget redhead and I'll put a curse on him so fast…"

"Severus… Calm yourself. Listen, she'll be down any second and we'll see what happens. Ok?"

Severus put down his glass of champagne and walked over to the end of the room where he found the whiskey decanter, untouched. Everyone was so happy and toasting one another for whatever reason that no one had even thought of heading for the whiskey. He downed a little and turned in time to see Charlie heading up the stairs but then before he had gone all the way up, she appeared. Severus felt his breath stall for a moment. Alexandria stood with what he assumed was her sister. Her hair was pulled back tightly in a bun and a small crown sat on her head. Her gown was made for a queen. The two smiled at each other and walked down the stairs with linked arms. They began greeting people. Severus knew that half of the people here were muggles and most of them held some sort of title. He had never thought Mrs. Weasley capable of such a party. He took another drink of the whiskey. It was Scotch Whiskey, not the burning Fire Whiskey that he was used to. Luna walked over top him, "You should go say hi."

"Not yet."

Luna grabbed his arm and pulled him to the room next door, "Neville didn't want to tell me this but I got it out of him. Before Alexandria said yes to Charlie two weeks ago, she had written him a letter saying: that she was unsure because of all the feelings that had come and filled her when she saw you again. I don't know why I told you…" she said looking down and scratching her head. "Anyway, Charlie wants her to give this place to Neville when they're married because he says that he wouldn't want to stay here much. I'll feel like a princess." Luna twirled and walked out of the room. Severus could not help but think what a funny girl she was sometimes but the news caught him off guard. Anger filled him at the thought that he would lose her to another man as he had lost Narcissa to Lucius.

It was late into the night and the party had thinned out but only a tad. He had made sure to avoid Alexandria especially since Charlie would not leave her side. At dinner Severus had sat on the far end out of her view. Neville had toasted them as well as Mr. Weasley. It was not until later that she escaped the grasp of her husband-to-be and made her way to the whiskey he had almost indulged himself in too much. Severus watched as she downed a half full glass and held her stomach with her hand. It must have been difficult to walk and breath in a gown like the one she was wearing. Her waist, though small, was still being held in by a corset. She reached for more whiskey but he placed hi hand over hers. For a moment she dared not turn, so he placed his hand on her shoulders and turned her gently.

"Hullo there," he said looking around himself nervously. The feeling that every eye in the room had turned to him filled his insides. There was no one watching.

"Severus…" she forced a small smile. "I did not think you would…"

"I know. I had not planned on it… For over a month I wanted to speak with you. At least say thank you, but… I figured you wouldn't want to see me. Neville said you didn't."

"I didn't. I was confused until about two weeks ago. I'm glad you came though. I hope you'll come to the wedding. Well, I better go."

Severus took her hand and pulled her back, "Are you trying to tease me on purpose?" he asked giving her a half smile.

She laughed a little, "No. I just don't want to lose you again. We can still be friends right?"

"Isn't he a little short for you?" he asked wanting to avoid the question.

Another laugh. "No, he's… my height."

Severus nodded and kissed her hand, "Thank you. You saved my life." It was his turn to force a smile but found it came quite easily looking at her.

"Any time." Her hand found his face as it always had. "Please come see me before you leave. On the other hand, stay. Stay and we'll talk tomorrow."

"I cant. Neville and Charlie would both have my head."

"Oh… well stay anyway."

They stared into each other's eyes for a while. "I see you stole my fiancée's company." Charlie interrupted. "Come on sweetie, I think…"

"Alexandria!" Remus shouted giving her a hug that tore her from Charlie's side. "I see you found our Severus. It's been so long since the three of us have been together. You know Severus is working in the muggle world now?" Alexandria looked at Remus and then at him. No words were exchanged. "We should all get together for tea sometime before you're married."

"I agree," she smiled. "We will. I promise."

The two talked about rather boring topics for a while until Charlie walked away. As soon as he did Remus winked his way and also departed. The bloke had come over just to shoo Charlie away. He would have to remember to thank him. "You want to take a walk?" Severus asked.

"I really should stay here."

"Of course."

This time Mrs. Weasley walked over in her peach dress, filled with lace and frills and insisted on stealing Moonberry away. There was no winning Mrs. Weasley when she was like that. As Alexandria tried to turn to give him a look of defeat and then a smile he noticed something else. The dress swayed as she was pulled through the crowd. Severus followed and then saw it again. Her feet were bare. The dress had covered it well. Charlie took his fiancée's waist and together they started to converse with his whole family. Even Percy had made it. He walked closer and noticed that with no shoes Charlie was only half an inch taller than she was. He laughed to himself.

"What is so funny?"

Severus turned and looked at Hermione. "I find it funny that…" he stopped thinking that whatever he said could bring humiliation to Alexandria. "Nothing."

He watched as Alexandria escaped from Charlie many times during the course of the night. At one point he followed at a distance and watched as she made her way outside. The night sky was filled with stars and the air was crisp. "No shoes huh?" he said aloud hiding in the shadows.

Alexandria turned and looked for him everywhere. "Where are you?" He stepped out of the shadows shook his hair back. An urge to kiss him came over her but she repressed the feeling. "What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"I just needed a bit of fresh air."

"Are you suffocating already?" he smirked.

"Ha-ha…" she said sarcastically. "No… I was just a little bit bored of talking about dragons."

"What would you like to talk about then?" Severus asked strolling right up to her this time.

"Your hair is longer," she randomly stated running her fingers through it. "I like it."

"Thank you, but it will be what it was soon enough. So about those shoes…"

"Alright! I can't wear high heels around Charlie. And I like going bare foot anyway, but he doesn't like it when I'm standing taller than him."

Severus laughed, "I'm sorry… that's a bit funny. You have to admit."

"No. I'm going back inside now." Severus walked behind her and slipped his arm around her waist pulling her back. "Severus, don't do this. We had our chance. Its over now."

"I know why you only made up your mind two weeks ago and I still think you made the wrong decision."

Slowly she turned to face him, "I chose Charlie, Severus."

"I know… and I'm not the only one who thinks you're making a mistake."

"What?! Why shouldn't I marry him? Because he doesn't have money and lives in a small house by dragon country? Thats rubbish!"

"Why is it rubbish? You deserve everything you have. You do so much with it. You think Remus would be here dressed as nice as he is if you hadn't given him a good business to run? Where would Neville have been if you hadn't been there to take care of him and pay for all his school supplies that last year? You don't even…"

"Take your hands off of her!" Charlie shouted running over and yanking her from Severus. "Stay away from her Snape… I mean it."

"Are you threatening me?" Severus raised an eyebrow and looked down at him. "You think it wise?"

"You don't scare me." Charlie said standing in front of Alexandria.

"Thats too bad."

"What are you going to do kill me like you killed Dumbledore?"

Severus felt his face turn to anger and disgust. Alexandria turned Charlie around forcefully, "Don't you think that for one moment you can talk to him like that and get away with it!"

"I don't want you near him. If we are going to get married then he has to go!"

Both stared at her but she did not answer and instead ran inside. Charlie pointed his finger at Severus and ran after her. Severus on the other hand casually went after the both of them and stood outside the door of the room they had chosen to fight in. "I'm not going to stop seeing him." Alexandria said calmly.

"Why not? I thought in a marriage we don't do things that the other doesn't agree on?"

"You don't agree with anything Charlie!"

"Money and fancy things are things you don't need to be happy!"

"We've been through this already. I already agreed with that and said yes to your proposal didn't I?"

"Snape is a different story. He's a part of your past that I want to replace. I want to make you mine and you wont let me."

"Don't even bring it up Charlie… I said you have to wait till after we're married."

"And he didn't?" he asked grabbing her quite forcefully.

"One more time Charlie…" She stated looking down at his hand. "I wont tell you again. I'm not an animal that you can handle forcefully or roughly."

"Surely you have to know why this bothers me so much. For years I was good to you and let you do what you wanted and you cant even stop talking to the man who caused you so much grief for so long. How do you think it made me feel that this girl I had loved was hurting so deeply and she chose to handle it in front of me? I didn't sleep for nights wondering if you would be all right. I made you your favorite foods daily hoping you might eat just a tad and you didn't. I made sure everything was going well at school with Neville because you were to depressed to answer teacher letters or send him the things he asked for that he needed. All of that and I have to live with the thought now that my future wife still loves the man that did all that to her."

Alexandria placed a small kiss on his lips and walked out without a word. Severus turned the corner as she exited and made her way back to the party. His head hurt from being here now. All the things he had just learned made him sick. He walked back to the party and kept his distance. Every now and then though he could feel her eyes come over him as he spoke with Hermione, Tonks and Remus. Look at me… She asked silently.

He turned and looked at her just barely and then turned back. Don't tease me Alexandria. I know I caused you a lot of pain and one day maybe you'll understand why.

I do understand. I know you heard everything we said too. He always brings that up when he wants to get to me. If it weren't for you Harry would be dead. If you were guilty then I would have left you in Azkaban. Now look at me.

Again Severus turned and saw her wink at him. Are you not going to marry Charlie then?

I never said that. I just want things to be better between us.

I can think of a way to make them better. He smiled. Her lips parted just slightly in shock but she played it off well. Whatever the woman beside her had been shocking apparently as she also lifted her hand to her mouth and nodded at the woman.

That was close. And no… I'm afraid I must decline your offer. Tempting though.

Severus shook his head and walked closer but along the wall. He leaned against it and watched her. What should I do then?

You could try being a bit more civil. And you still have to stay tonight.

Fine, if you let me stay with you.

I said no! He could see the smile on her face. You may stay in a guest room. So you're working the muggle world… interesting. What do you do?

It's a surprise. You have to wait to find out. So why Charlie? Percy's taller.

And younger… a lot younger.

Point taken… its just… he's so… short.

He really is a nice man. His temper though is questionable. I don't want to talk about Charlie though. I want to talk about… um…

How absolutely stunning you look tonight? Severus raised his glass to her and took a sip. He could see the blush run up Alexandria's cheeks and she had to look away. You don't think you look amazing tonight?

This time she walked right up to him and snapped her fingers. Severus looked around; the elegant gold ballroom had become a small cozy living room. The fireplace crackled and Alexandria smiled up at him. "No one will look for us here."

He spun around and realized that it was his home right outside London. "Why are we running?"

"Because I'm tired of talking to people… We'll go back later when I know that everyone has left."

Severus walked past her and put down the glass he had been holding, "Wont it be suspicious that we both disappeared together? And should you have done magic in the presence of muggles?"

This time she giggled, "No one saw. I promise."

"I don't think this is a good idea," he said looking around. "I behaved because there were people present, but now…"

"Don't even think about it." They both knew Severus would respect her wishes and so they spent a good hour and a half catching up.

"Do you see anyone?" she whispered.

"No… I think Neville and Luna are in the ballroom dancing and if I'm not mistaken Remus and Tonks have just headed home through the fireplace."

"Did you see Charlie?"

"No."

"I'll go look then." Alexandria said turning herself invisible. Severus did the same and followed. Neville and Luna were indeed dancing in the middle of the living room. Without thinking Severus walked through the doors with Alexandria and pulled her up to him. They too began dancing as they once had before the whole school. Neville and Luna had not even noticed the door opening. Severus watched her smile as he spun and dipped her before running out of the room holding her hand. Alexandria liked seeing him like this. It was very unlike the Severus she had met four years ago. He stopped suddenly though as he reached the kitchen. Alexandria peeked over his shoulder and gasped as she saw Percy kissing Pansy Parkinson. She could have done much better than a Weasley… Severus thought and backed up slowly.

"Oh my… I didn't even know he had brought her… They kind of have similar personalities though." Alexandria whispered to him.

Severus looked down at her and could not help but first focus on her lips. They had been glossed all night begging for his. "Lets go check for Charlie upstairs."

"Wait, I'm going to go tell Neville about Percy."

"Ok." He followed her closely and watched as she started talking to Neville without first making herself visible. The poor boy almost passed out right there. Severus pointed his wand at her and made her visible. Luna laughed and hugged her boyfriend. After telling Neville about Percy he luckily mentioned that Charlie had left rather angrily after saying bye to his guests with an excuse as to why she was not present. Where he went Neville did not know but instead told Alexandria that if she wanted he would seal the fireplaces and then cast a spell over the palace if she wanted to be left alone. She kissed his forehead as well as Luna's and bid them good night.

They walked into her room together but instead of trying to progress things or saying more he waited for her to change and then kissed her cheek and left. Alexandria seemed rather surprised at this and just sat on her bed as she watched him walk out. The guest room was just as it had been when he left. Tula had put clothes on the bed for him to sleep in. The little house elf seemed to know he was partial to black by now. He changed and laid in bed for a while before dozing off slightly. The bed moved and he felt someone at his side. He did not open his eyes. After dozing off and waking once more he remembered that someone had gotten in the bed. Severus looked down and saw Alexandria curled against him. A smile came over him. He knew she missed him, he knew she still loved him. The problem now was how he would have her admit it? Even more importantly, how to have her leave Charlie…