A Brief Staff Meeting
"Have they ever been here before?" asked Zelda curiously.
"No," replied Severus frigidly. "I have never allowed students near this place. A man requires a sanctuary."
"And you'll let the creatures come here, for me?" she asked gently. "Thanks."
They were dressing in preparation for Severus's departure to attend the staff meeting. Zelda was fascinated to watch as he assumed his Professor Snape persona. The starched shirt and the intricate, precise way he tied his neck cloth fascinated her. More fascinating was the way his emotional barriers were assumed along with his clothing. His posture and his expression became icier and more forbidding as he dressed. As he finished buttoning his frock coat, he realized she was watching and he looked forbiddingly at her.
"Are you finished preparing for combat?" she asked rather sadly. "You look like you're putting on armor."
"Is it so bad?" he asked, frowning. He felt a sudden rush of panic, wondering if she thought him ridiculous.
"Of course not, you look amazing as always. Just not relaxed or happy," Zelda replied. "It's sexy, but I like knowing it'll all come off again. I feel like I can't reach you in there."
A gleam of relief shone in his eyes and he set down the robes he was preparing to put on. "Come here," he murmured, holding out one thin hand.
"Does it make you uncomfortable if I watch you get dressed? I love to look at you," she explained as she went to him and laid a loving hand on his stern cheek. "Hurry back," she whispered ruefully. "I'll get used to you going, eventually, but I still feel pathetic today."
He hugged her close. "Keep a close eye on those bloody students. Do not let Miss Granger near my bookshelves. Only for you would I allow them here."
She put her face up for a kiss and clung to him, feeling disgustingly weak and panicky without really knowing why. "Are you satisfied, Professor?" she asked sarcastically, feeling horribly self-conscious as she showed him her irrational fear.
A wicked smile transformed his face. "Yes," he replied, kissing her again.
When a knock sounded on the door, she sprang away from him. "Have I made you late?"
"I was not planning to leave until your bloody guests arrived," he said, reaching quickly for his robes. "Please let them in.
She checked briefly to assure herself that her robes were neat, then went to the door and opened it.
Harry, Hermione and Ron were standing there, wide-eyed and grinning. Molly Weasley was standing behind them, Levitating a large tray that had a teapot and cups, and piled high with food.
"Hi kids," said Zelda, holding the door open wide. "Molly, come in. And thank you for your kind gesture," she said softly, with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"You're welcome," said Molly as she brought the tray to rest on the table across the room. She turned around and gave Zelda a warm hug. "It's wonderful to see you."
"You too," she replied. "How long do staff meetings usually run?"
"It depends on how many of us arrive with our own agendas. I'm crossing my fingers that this will be short," said Molly. She turned to Severus and asked, "Are you ready?"
He nodded and without further words they left.
Zelda turned to her three guests and said, "Nobody touches a thing."
Hermione was already casting longing looks at the floor-to-ceiling shelves of ancient books, so she smiled guiltily at Zelda. "We'll be good," she promised. "But… I'd love to look."
"I know, but he's never let students in, and you're only here because he's afraid I'll have a nervous breakdown if I wait here alone. You're my babysitters."
"I never even wondered where the Heads live before this," said Ron. "Do they all have such huge, erm… empty quarters?"
"He said he didn't entertain guests," explained Zelda earnestly. She saw Harry's mouth opening in reply and said with a blighting stare, "Never mind, Harry."
"Come eat something, Zelda," said Hermione. "We've had our supper, but Ron's mum thought you'd like a bite to eat."
There was plenty for everybody. Zelda smiled and said, "Grab a plate and bring whatever you'd like over by the fire. Living in a castle is chilly isn't it?"
"Yeah. This time of year it's extra gloomy too," said Ron. "Are there actually windows on that wall?
"I haven't looked," said Zelda. "But I assume so."
"You could make this place really nice, if you lived here," Harry offered innocently as he bit into his sandwich.
"Severus doesn't think it's safe for me at Hogwarts," she said. "I still can't remember everything, but lots of wizards think Muggles are scum, don't they? He worries."
"But just about everybody's scared of him, so I don't think anyone would bother you," said Ron brightly.
"Ron!" Hermione said, scandalized. "Zelda, he didn't mean it the way it sounded…"
"But it's true! And it's a good thing," insisted Ron with a stubborn frown. "Look, since he's been back in the past week, he's taken loads of points off people and given detention to some prize idiots."
Zelda had to laugh. It seemed that her husband was forever doomed to play the baddie. "Poor Severus. Someone has to do it, don't you think?"
Harry was silent. He remembered how Luna Lovegood was teased and bullied, even by people in Ravenclaw. But at least Luna was a witch, and was able to defend herself. It would be a fair fight. But Zelda couldn't. He remembered the Muggles at the Quidditch World Cup, and what Death Eaters had done to them. He felt rather sick.
"I'd just like it if we could see you more, but I want you to be okay," he said quietly.
"Me too," she said. "I miss having you kids around. I thought I was used to Elijah being gone, but then you all showed up last summer and were such good company."
"Elijah's cool," said Ron. "I can't believe I ever thought Muggles were boring. He knows a lot, and he's funny too."
"He's a good boy," murmured Zelda, smiling fondly. "I always spent way more time shouting and arguing with Lily than with him."
"You? Shouting and arguing?" asked Harry, looking shocked.
"It wasn't always pretty," she replied. "It's not always easy living with people, even if they're your family and no matter how much you love them. There were some horrible times during my first marriage and it was rough on the kids."
The three stared respectfully, but looked extremely doubtful.
"Never mind," she said. "You need to hang onto your illusion that relationships can be easy. You're too young to really believe anything else.
They all sat quietly, contemplating the fire.
"Will you let us know when you'll be back at Hogwarts?" asked Hermione. "I'd like to see you again. We all would."
"Sure, but I don't know when it'll be. I'm working, you know. But I'm sure I'll be back."
&&&&&&&&&
Severus felt very strange, sitting in the staff room among his colleagues for the first time since that day the previous June. He had stayed at Hogwarts for a short time after his trial, and seen them all at dinner and casually, but this was different. He was seated between Molly Weasley and Professor Flitwick, who had greeted him warmly.
At the head of the table the headmistress called the meeting to order and went over the special notices for the week ahead. She then said, "Please welcome our esteemed colleague, Professor Snape. He is consulting with us, and will be working with many of you to prepare our students for their examinations."
All eyes had been on him since he walked into the room, a few friendly but most coolly curious, so he simply nodded.
Minerva continued, "I have given each of you a list of students that will be given extra tutoring. Severus will evaluate each one and send a report to you, so you may coordinate homework assignments. I hope most of these students will be brought up to speed quickly, but we must be thorough."
"Absolutely," said Professor Flitwick. "It's good to have you back, Severus."
"Thank you," he replied quietly. "If there are questions, I shall be here at Hogwarts every weekday afternoon, working with students. I'll try not to disrupt your classes excessively, and if you have a specific concern about a student, I should like to know."
"All right, any questions?" asked Minerva, looking around the room. "If not, it is time to ask which students will be staying here at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays. Heads, please bring your lists to our next meeting. As usual, we will accommodate last minute changes, however I'd like preliminary numbers at our next meeting."
She smiled at the polite boredom on the faces around the table and said, "I'll now release you all from your suffering. Have a good week and please make a special effort to be visible in the corridors. Thank you for your time."
She rose, causing her listeners to spring to attention, and went to Severus.
"Thank you for joining us. I shall have a solution to your problem tomorrow," she said. "I trust you've had a good day?"
"Very good, thank you," he replied, frowning repressively at her slightly mischievous expression. "I'll see you tomorrow, Minerva."
He turned and discovered that he was surrounded. Professors Flitwick, Davis and Hagrid were all there. He noticed that Professor Sinistra had slowed and was staring intently at him, but when Sibyll Trelawney lurched into her, they both staggered toward the door, looking distracted
"Severus, you're looking well," pronounced Filius Flitwick. "I hope you'll have time to update me on the progress of our, erm, research." His eyes were bright with knowing amusement.
"Of course," replied Severus. He nodded politely to the tiny wizard who had helped him understand Memory Charms and done research to assist in Zelda's recovery. "I'll look you up one day this week. What day is best?"
"Tuesday. Come to my office at three o'clock for tea. We have so much to catch up on."
Severus turned then to Professor Davis. "How are you, Solomon?"
"I'm quite curious about Potter's remedial Potions," the young man replied, his brown eyes sparkling with amusement. "Since he's extremely competent, one of the best in his N.E.W.T. Potions class, it seems there's more here than meets the eye."
"I asked him to see me regarding the recent disruptions," replied Severus quietly. "He knows Malfoy and I asked him to notify me if he hears anything that can help us resolve the situation."
"Ah, of course. I'll be happy to assist if I can," replied Davis. "Have you heard lately from the publishers about your book?"
"I haven't had time to think of it," replied Severus. "When the request for revisions comes, I'll deal with it if I have time. Frankly, it's a book I never meant to write, so if I finish it before I die, it will be more than I'd planned."
He turned to the half-giant, who had listened patiently, with his black eyes beaming benevolently.
"Well, Hagrid?" he queried.
"Did yeh have a good afternoon?" he asked gruffly.
A reminiscent gleam flashed in Severus's eyes, recalling it.
"Adequate," he said coolly. "Please walk with me, Hagrid."
He steered Hagrid relentlessly toward the door.
"Do you have a moment to accompany me to the dungeons?" he asked.
"Course I do."
They walked on through the empty corridors, their footsteps echoing loudly. When they were quite alone, Severus paused and laid a hand on Hagrid's arm.
"Is it somethin' about Zelda?" whispered Hagrid earnestly. "She's okay, right?"
"She is fine, right now," replied Severus. "Potter and his friends stayed with her during this past hour. They know, Minerva knows, but no one else must know yet. Hagrid, Zelda is my wife."
The black eyes widened in disbelief, then a huge smile transformed the bearded face.
"Congratulations! Tha's wonderful news," he whispered powerfully. "But why's it a secret?"
"Think about it," commanded Severus in a low voice. "She is not safe here now. If something threatens her when she's here, will you…"
Hagrid's eyes lit with comprehension. "A' course, I'll keep an eye on her, don' you worry," he replied. "She's a good woman. I think yer a lucky bloke, young Sev'rus."
Severus started at being addressed like a student again, and then he smiled tightly. "I'm a very lucky, ah, bloke. Thank you. Now, would you mind escorting those wandering bloody Gryffindors back to their tower? Zelda and I both have work tomorrow, so we must leave."
Hagrid grinned. "I can' believe yeh let those three in yer personal quarters. Don' go gettin' soft, Professor."
Severus glared icily at him as he opened the door, causing Hagrid to emit a deep rumbling chuckle as he ducked his head to pass through the doorway.
Harry turned around first at the sound of their entrance. He was startled to see how comfortable Hagrid seemed with Professor Snape.
"Minerva's staff meetings must be a model of efficiency if you're back already," Zelda said, smiling with a hint of relief. "Hey, Hagrid, did Severus invite you back for a big party?
"Nah, I'm here ter escort these here renegade students back ter their tower," he said, his black eyes twinkling warmly. "But I won' say no ter a party another time, though, Mrs. Snape."
Four pairs of eyes stared in shock at his words.
"Are you telling everyone?" gasped Ron.
"Only Hagrid," replied Severus.
"If all of us actually know, it must be true," said Harry. "It's kind of unbelievable, you know. But good."
"It's too bad you didn't have a big wedding, though," said Hermione wistfully. "Bill and Fleur's wedding was so lovely."
Severus shuddered slightly, imagining all of these marvelous new friends of his sucking all the oxygen from his vicinity. He realized that Zelda was seeing his thoughts and he rolled his eyes at her ironically.
She smiled sweetly and, turning, said to Hermione, "It's true and it's done, so I can look forward to a quiet life now."
"I believe all students should be in their common room by this time," said Severus silkily. "I'm delighted that you could visit with Zelda. Now, however, forget you know where this place is located."
They all rose, and Zelda hugged each of the teens in turn. "Don't listen to him," she murmured. "After all, if you can't come here, I'll go to your common room to see you, and I think that would probably be a major scandal."
"How fortunate that I am so indulgent with you," murmured Severus, moving to stand next to his wife.
She tucked a hand into his arm and softly replied, "Very fortunate."
"I'll see you all again soon," she said warmly to their guests. "Thanks for coming."
When the door had closed behind them, she said, "Should I try to preserve my dignity or throw myself at you?"
The corners of his mouth turned up slightly and he slid his arm around her waist, pulling her against him.
"The Christmas holidays will begin at the end of the school day on December nineteenth," he murmured. "Classes will not begin again until after the New Year. I'll have you at my mercy for two weeks."
He felt her body quiver deliciously at his suggestive tone and putting a thin finger under her chin, he tilted her face up and kissed her.
"Throw yourself at me any time you want," he said silkily. "But first, we'll go home. Rowena and the cats are waiting."
He put her cloak gallantly over her shoulders, fastening it securely.
"I feel like such a baby," she said. "For a crone like me, it's an odd sensation to be taken care of."
He put on his own long, black cloak, and ushered her through the door and down the corridor in silence. He opened the outer door, led her outside and locked the door behind him.
Then he swung his billowing cloak around her and caught her close. "You're my wife, so I'll care for you as I choose," he hissed. "Remember your concession."
Enveloped in that swirling cloak, she was held tight against him. She surrendered to that hard embrace and pressed her cheek meekly against his shoulder. It was so seductive, so easy to play his game, that it frightened her.
"Do you respect me, Professor Snape?" she asked softly, her voice muffled under the cloak.
"Yes," he said firmly.
"That's okay, then," she whispered softly, relaxing into his embrace.
"It's time to go home," he said. He tucked her hand into his arm and they walked briskly through the snow toward the gates. "Is the snow too cold for you?"
"The snow's gorgeous. I love it. Look at the way it reflects the moonlight. This place feels closer to nature than any place I could imagine," she said dreamily. "Like everything must've been before pollution and overpopulation and global warming."
He frowned. He'd heard those terms, but never investigated the meaning. But before he could ask her what it all meant, Hagrid's bloody dog came bounding over the rise, barking furiously.
"Fang!" Zelda exclaimed happily, kneeling in the snow to rub the dog's belly.
Severus waited impatiently while she murmured terms of endearment to the excited beast. Finally Hagrid came stomping toward them in search of his dog.
"I see yeh remember Fang," he said, chuckling at Severus's irritable grimace.
"What a sweet dog he is," she said, rising and attempting to brush the snow from her robes.
"Walk with us to the gates, Hagrid, so you can lock up," said Severus. "And tell me, does Minerva always run such an amazingly short staff meeting?"
"They've all been like tha' one," he replied proudly. "She talks with everyone regular, an' if there's a problem she deals wi' it before it turns inter a fight in th' staff room. Hogwarts is in good hands."
He unlocked the massive gates, watched Professor Snape escort his wife through and then locked them carefully.
"Thank you, Hagrid," said Zelda, waving cheerfully. "See you later."
Hagrid lingered to watch Severus put his arms around her, and without warning they Apparated away. If Severus Snape could actually be married to a woman who obviously loved him dearly, there was hope for everyone, he mused.
"C'mon, Fang," he shouted, bringing the dog to heel. "S' time ter go home.
He trudged back through the snow to where his warm hut waited, firelight shining through the windows.