It was a sunny day at Hogwarts. The sky was blue, clouds giving the perfect shading, and all the surrounding the castle and Hogwarts seemed to be getting along strangely well. Even the nastiest of them all was in a pleasant mood. However, when the clouds darkened ominously and lightning flashed across the sky, people and teachers alike dashed inside for shelter from the coming storm. They all had just made it inside shelter when the sky cleared up once more and a lone croon of a phoenix echoed through the castle. Once more the outdoors was filled with people, and the mood restored, causing people to carry on with their trips to Hogsmeade. Except for one snarky Potions Professor.
Severus Snape stalked through the corridors, his destination not far away. He swiftly stepped into his room and with a last flourish of robes, his door was closed. The candles in the room immediately lit with a wave of his hand. He opened the door through his study into his bedroom and was quite surprised to find a rather naked witch laying on his bed. Her dark reddish black hair shown in the dimmed light that his candles provided, and in an instant he recognized her. Only one woman he had ever known had hair as gorgeous as hers and he was in awe of her beauty.
"Emmeline?" He whispered her name softly, his dark brown eyes glistened with long with held tears. The woman stirred on his bed and slowly woke, her beautiful green eyes opening with a dramatic fluttering.
"Severus?" She mumbled groggily. She sat up without a care to her nudity and stared at him in confusion. She finally spoke. "What in the world am I doing here?" She wasn't the only one wondering the answer to that one.
"You tell me." He said with more force, overcoming his shock at finding her in his bedroom.
"Well, one moment I can remember being in battle, hearing the killing curse and seeing this bright green light, the next thing I know I'm waking up and there you are." She answered, her green eyes narrowed as she looked at him closer. "Exactly how long have I been.. gone?" She worded her question carefully, not sure what she was asking.
"Emmeline, you've been dead for 16 years." His answer was more than surprising, and she slumped back against the pillows on his bed. To stall questions he went to his wardrobe and pulled out an old bathrobe. He tossed the black silk to her and her eyes went wide.
"My bathrobe!" Her emerald eyes lifted to his and her brows furrowed in confusion.
"After your death they had to give your items to someone. Your parents didn't want any reminders of you due you never finding a mate. I couldn't very well let your things go to waste." She smiled softly and stood up so she could wrap the beautiful piece of cloth around her body. She happened to glance over at his mirror and she gasped in shock.
"My eyes!" She stated loudly, "They're no longer white!" Her lip trembled at the loss of her beloved white eyes.
"Green is more your style anyways Emmeline, I would not worry." The normally snarky man said, walking over and standing beside her. She turned to him and smiled softly, tears filling her eyes.
"You've always been so sweet to be Severus, if only the world could see you as I do." She wrapped her thin arms around him and hugged him tightly. She buried her head in his neck and breathed deeply of his familiar scent. He could only return the favor and treasure the feel of her against him.
"We must tell Dumbledore you've returned." The dark haired man said, as he slowly pulled from her embrace.
"There is no need Severus, I am quite informed." They both turned to find Albus Dumbledore standing in the doorway, a smile upon his face.
"Liberty, you have been missed." He informed her, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. The woman ran over to her former headmaster and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"Albus, how is it that I've returned so late in life?" She asked, her accent becoming thicker with emotion.
"It has been known to happen for Pholinx to be re-birthed at a late time in life. They're not always re-birthed directly after death." She nodded in understanding. Then frowned when she realized something.
"I don't appear to have aged a day since I died, I feel so young compared to Severus now." A grin split the face of the Headmaster as he realized her silly worries.
"I do not think that should be such a worry, youth is always an atribute, carry it well." He winked at her before turning to Severus. "I do believe that you can supply her with some of her old clothes Severus?" A nod came from the Potions Master in response. He turned to Liberty Emmeline know. "When you have finished dressing and other tasks you feel you must carry through, please join the other Professors and I at the Head Table for lunch." With that said, the older man exited Severus' private quarters.
Emmeline turned to Severus and inquired if he had any clothing available for her. In response he walked over to a trunk in the bottom of his wardrobe and opened it up. Inside held the neatly folded clothing that had remained after her death. She quickly pulled out an outfit and cast a spell on it to clean the dust and musty smell from it. She discarded her robe without a thought and dressed swiftly, completely oblivious to the lustful looks she was getting from Severus. She finished dressing and turned to her best friend.
"I think I have some questions I would like answered Severus." He nodded his head in answer. He was not looking forward to the conversation, but it must be done.
"I think a walk is in order." With that said, he led her through his quarters, headed towards the outdoors where they could have a long chat about what had occured since she had been gone.