Zelda Catches Up on Things

Zelda went to answer the door to Severus's quarters feeling rather nervous.

"Hi Ginny," she said softly.

Ginny Weasley had waited months for this moment. She wanted to cry, but she stuck out her chin and said, "Hi, Zelda. D'you remember everything?"

Zelda nodded. "Come in," she said in a low voice.

Rowena trotted up and nosed Ginny's hand eagerly, making a brief distraction as Zelda led her into the smaller sitting room.

"Has Professor Snape left?"

"He's an important person now, so he couldn't be late for the staff meeting," said Zelda, gesturing toward the couch.

"Oh," she replied, sitting reluctantly and looking down into her lap.

Zelda sat down next to her. "Ginny, I didn't know until now that we know each other as well as we do. Thanks for being so careful while my memory was shut down."

Ginny looked up grimly.

"Zelda, I'm so sorry! I've wanted to say that ever since that day," she blurted out. "I made a mess of things and it's my fault Firenze died. You could've been killed too."

"Have you thought about why?" asked Zelda. "I'm relieved that we both managed to survive and I want to hear what happened to you after we got separated, but I'm most curious about why you did it."

She gazed mildly into the girl's brown eyes and waited.

"I was jealous," said Ginny, with a sullen frown. "You, a Muggle, knew more than I did about what Harry was doing, and he trusted you. He… Harry likes you a lot. He broke up with me at the end of the school year. I know why he needed to, but it made me mad. So I thought I'd scare you."

"It worked," replied Zelda. "Seeing Voldemort come through the gates and knowing we were trapped was awful. Reliving that terror was just horrible. Did you really think you could take care of yourself if you ran into him?"

She nodded. "Until I saw them. It wasn't just Voldemort, it was Bellatrix Lestrange. She killed Sirius Black. She killed lots of people. She killed Firenze, but then Michael killed her. He shot her."

"There was someone else with them too. Who was it?"

Ginny shuddered. "It was Fenrir Greyback. He was a werewolf, the one who attacked my brother Bill and mangled his face."

Zelda looked confused, but suddenly her eyes were filled with comprehension. "I forgot at first, but I met him at Harry's birthday party, and his fiancée too. Did they get married?"

Ginny rolled her eyes a bit. "Fleur's now officially a Weasley."

"Don't you like her? I only talked with her for a few minutes, but I liked her a lot. She really loves your brother and she seemed to have an awesome, no-nonsense attitude."

"She's just so disgustingly beautiful, and so French! But she's not as bad as I used to think. Bill's happy, so even Mum doesn't hate her now."

Zelda laughed. "That's impressive. The hardest thing for a mother is to bite your tongue when your oldest son gets engaged. Your other brothers will probably find it's easier for them."

"Well, Mum thinks she's being bloody careful not to let me know, but I can see in her eyes that she's all ready to marry me off to Harry the minute I finish school. She wants him in the family for real."

Zelda sighed. "I hate to ask, and I'll be happy to mind my own business, but what do you want?"

Ginny echoed Zelda's sigh. "I've always loved Harry. At first I think I loved the idea of him, but he's a wonderful boy. I was so happy last spring, for a little while."

"But?"

"I thought once Voldemort was gone Harry'd be happy and we'd have fun this year. But he's distant and he's moody. He thinks too much about Hogwarts and the weird way people are acting. We still spend time together and I still love him, but it doesn't feel easy or right."

"It's not easy being Harry Potter, is it?" asked Zelda sadly.

"It's terrible. So many people want to use him, or use his famous name. He's been all over the news and sometimes people have said awful things about him."

"Ignore me if I'm out of line, Ginny, but give him some time and be his friend. He needs people he can count on and I imagine he'd never want to hurt you. He has a lot to sort out, and it sound to me like everybody wants a piece of him." She paused and then added, "In your world, do people get married so young?"

The girl nodded. "Often, yes. My parents got married when they were really young. They eloped, in fact. So I think Mum believes it would be fine if I married Harry right out of school."

"I got married and had kids when I was young, and I was miserable and got divorced. So I'm not a fan of marrying young. What do you think?"

"Maybe if Harry wanted to, and wasn't so messed up. But I'm not having a huge family," she said solemnly.

"Good for you," said Zelda, chuckling. "I salute the amazing job your mother did raising all of you, but I wouldn't want to do it. Seven kids would've killed me!"

"Especially if they were all boys," said the jaded sister.

Zelda was fascinated by Ginny's openness and secretly hoped the girl would change her mind about the delights of getting married at eighteen, but she didn't want to push too far.

"Well, enough meddling from me. If you need a listener, I'm always here. Now, why don't you tell me what's been happening since I was Obliviated?"

&&&&&&&&&

The Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts was extremely frustrated. He sat politely, trying to look attentive while Minerva McGonagall tried to convince the staff that they should learn to evaluate their students for signs of stress, depression or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Simply getting them to understand the concept had taken over an hour, and some were resistant to the idea of Muggle psychology applying to wizards.

"But most of our students had nothing to do with the recent war," said Professor Sinistra for the third time in an hour. "I cannot imagine they're even aware of what occurred. And they are wizards and witches, Minerva. Those messy Muggle insanities you speak of can have no relation to our kind."

"Some of them come from families that followed… Voldemort," countered Professor Flitwick valiantly. "They may have family members who are in Azkaban. And they may have heard the most dreadful talk while they were at home."

"Some kids lost family members or friends to Voldemort," said Tonks. "You can't tell me they weren't aware of the war."

"But it is not the responsibility of Hogwarts to usurp the work of parents," protested Professor Sprout. "It has never been done. It is not our job!"

Hagrid said slowly, "Hogwarts is a boardin' school, yeh know. Th' kids don' see their families much. Maybe we gotta pay better attention ter what's goin' on."

"Hagrid is right. Perhaps it should be our job," said Severus harshly. "Magical ability carries a burden of responsibility. It is important that we guide our students, whether or not their families have taught them appropriately."

This was the first time he had expressed his opinion so forcefully, and the staff all fell silent. Glancing around the table, he noticed Sibyll Trelawney goggling at him intently. He wondered if she was about to begin ranting some delusional prediction, but when she noticed him, she looked down into her lap and flushed.

"This is pointless," snapped Professor Vector, her wizened face frowning. "Nothing has happened in the past week. Everything's fine again. These incidents are over."

"Perhaps I shall ask Healer Fletcher to attend our next meeting and answer any questions you may have," Professor McGonagall told them sternly. "In the meantime, I expect all of you to watch the students. Their welfare must be our primary concern."

There were no further questions, so the usual list of events and requests for volunteers to organize them was discussed. Severus had a headache that threatened to render him unconscious, so he remained silent for the duration, only offering brief answers when called upon by Minerva. Finally the meeting was adjourned.

Sibyll Trelawney stood up and drifted toward him, but Professor Davis got there first.

"You made a good point about placing a greater emphasis on guiding and supporting our students," he said quietly. "I'd like to hear more of your thoughts, Severus."

"Have you met Michael Fletcher yet?" asked Severus. "Perhaps one day when he is here, we can all sit down and discuss these ideas. At the moment, however, I have my usual post-staff meeting headache and must leave."

"It was revoltingly long," replied the Potions teacher kindly. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."

Severus left the staff room, breathing a sigh of relief. It was only until the end of the school year, he told himself. Perhaps he could discover some career that didn't involve staff meetings. Ahead of him on the stairs he realized he was not alone and impulsively he called out softly.

"Nymphadora!"

The young witch stopped, turning around to smile up at him.

"Severus, I thought you'd be back there for the next three hours debating with them," she said brightly.

"The only thing I wanted to do was hex the lot, which would be unprofessional and inappropriate," he replied austerely. "Where are you going?"

"I'm craving a bit of fresh air after all that nattering," she replied. "Why?"

"If you're available for a short time, I am to ask you to return to my quarters," he said. Lowering his voice further, he added, "Zelda's memories have returned and she'd like to see you."

A delighted grin grew on her face and her dark eyes sparkled.

"Finally I get to really meet the mystery woman!" she whispered mockingly, following as he gestured toward a short corridor. "Severus, can I tell her tales of your cruelty back when I was your student?"

"Tell her anything you wish," he said. "However, her presence here is known only to a few people, so please do not let it get about among the staff and students."

He opened the door and ushered her inside, where the soothing feel of home washed over him, draining away some of his tension.

Tonks's eyes widened as she entered the spacious room.

"Merlin, Severus, how posh!"

Rowena trotted toward them and sniffed intently at the young witch's robes.

"You have a dog?" she asked, grinning delightedly.

"The dog belongs to Zelda," he replied coldly, but the effect was spoiled when he was forced to calm Rowena's delighted greeting.

"Bloody hell, as Ron says. You're full of surprises."

Zelda appeared in the doorway of the smaller sitting room. When she saw their pink-haired visitor, a slow smile appeared as she came forward.

"Professor Tonks! I thought I heard voices. I hope you can stay and talk for a while. I've got my memory back, more or less."

"I'd love to," said Tonks. "And just call me Tonks."

Zelda paused and looked intently at her beloved. His face was rather drawn and he rubbed irritably at his temples.

"Severus, I was hoping to speak with our guest alone for a bit. Girl talk, you know. Why don't you join us in half an hour?"

A hint of a smile lit his eyes and he nodded.

I'll return shortly," he said to Tonks.

He watched the witch follow Zelda into the smaller sitting room. Then he headed for the bedroom and reached for the small plastic bottle containing the Muggle headache remedy. He took out three small orange pills and swallowed them without water. Then he removed his robes and flung himself down on the bed. Closing his eyes was heaven, he thought.

Meanwhile, Zelda had ushered her guest into the room where she and Severus spent most of their time, and they settled on the couch by the vast fireplace.

"This is gorgeous," said Tonks enthusiastically. "If I'd known the Head of Slytherin got such fabulous, comfy digs, I'd have scooped this place from Severus!"

"It didn't look like this until quite recently," said Zelda with a chuckle. "Do you need to strengthen yourself after the meeting? It seems to have run much longer than usual."

"I'd love a bit of something."

"Dobby!" called Zelda. She jumped slightly when the house elf appeared before them with a slight pop. Then she smiled.

"Dobby, would you mind bringing Professor Tonks and me a bite to eat?" she asked.

"It is Dobby's pleasure," replied the elf, grinning cheerfully. "But where is Professor Snape?"

"Resting, I believe. He'll join us presently."

"Very well, Mrs. Professor Snape," he said cheerfully. "Dobby will be right back."

Tonks turned to goggle at the woman sitting next to her, reeling with shock and delight.

"Mrs. Professor Snape? You and Severus are married? Severus Snape is married?"

"I'll have to speak with Dobby about that ridiculous, overblown title," replied Zelda abstractedly. "And, yes, of course we're married. But he's afraid it's not safe for me to be at Hogwarts, especially the way things are now, so only a few people know."

"Bloody wow! Congratulations, I guess," said Tonks, a grin spreading across her face. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Zelda fixed her eye on the younger woman coldly.

"Quite sure," she replied icily, and then laughed merrily.

"I'm disgustingly, outrageously, nauseatingly happy. I'm also getting tired of people thinking I'm crazy. You seem like a forthright person, so tell me why it's unbelievable."

Dobby reappeared carrying a laden tray with tea, sandwiches and a variety of sweets, which drew them to the table like a magnet.

"Outstanding, Dobby," said Zelda with enthusiasm. "You're the best."

Dobby beamed at the women and then disappeared.

"Goddess, what a good thing Muggles can't know about house elves," said Zelda. "I feel such liberal guilt, having him do things around here. I know exactly how Hermione feels, wanting to foment the revolution."

Tonks laughed as she helped herself to a generous plateful of delicious tidbits.

"I'd say you have enough on your hands being Mrs. Professor Snape," she said. "This explains why he's different. He's still a grouchy git, but he's not so touchy. And he seemed a bit smug when we saw you in the Three Broomsticks."

"I feel extremely smug these days," murmured Zelda, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Grab your food and let's go sit by the fire."

While Zelda was filling her plate, Tonks studied this Muggle woman who was married to her former teacher. The new Mrs. Snape wore perfectly correct witch's robes, black silk in a vintage style, with what seemed to be Muggle motorcycle boots. She had curly blonde hair and was a bit overweight, and the quick humor in her eyes made Tonks warm to her.

"Where'd you get the clothes?" asked Tonks. "I know enough of Muggles to know you wouldn't have those robes hanging in your wardrobe."

"When I had to play dress-up last summer, Molly took me to a huge place in Diagon Alley. Everything I own is previously owned."

"Fantastic! I love that second hand robe shop! Most people I know are too snobbish to go, unless they're dead broke, but I only shop there," said Tonks. "I love the black silk. Where'd you get the boots?"

"The boots were already mine," said Zelda. "I'd never have worn 'em with a skirt before this. But I think they pass, don't they? They're really comfortable."

"Hey, would you like to go shopping together sometime?" asked Tonks. "There aren't a lot of female Aurors and they're mostly much older than me and not fun. They have standards, you see. I'd probably have lots more fun with Kingsley, but he keeps to himself outside of work hours."

Zelda knew perfectly well why that was, but she wasn't about to out Kingsley to his young co-worker.

"I'd love to, if we can find time. I'm teaching full time at my school, and you're teaching full time here. How do you like teaching?"

Tonks rolled her eyes. "I still feel like a kid myself when I'm at Hogwarts, so it's odd to have students treat me like some grim old antique. Minerva's helped me a lot. She's impressive as hell, isn't she?"

A sound from the doorway made them both look up. Severus stood there, still looking rather pale but alert.

"Are you feeling better?" asked Zelda as she studied him closely. "You need refreshment, poor man. Come sit down."

She detoured to kiss his cheek and smile mischievously into his eyes, before going to the table and collecting a small feast onto a plate for him.

Severus sat down in the armchair and glanced cautiously toward Tonks, who was grinning.

"Well, Nymphadora?" he asked, flushing slightly.

"I never imagined you as a married man, Severus," she said, smirking. "We used to take bets in the dorm, whether or not you were a mutant vampire who never slept."

Zelda set down his tea on the small table and sat down again by Tonks.

"Your name is Nymphadora?" she asked curiously. "How, erm, fascinating."

"Call me Tonks," was the defiant reply.

"But Severus can call you Nymphadora?"

"Payback for years of impudence when she was a student in Slytherin," said Severus with a mocking smile. "It's odd for a young woman with such a magnificent name, but she dislikes it."

"My mum was insane when she named me," said Tonks nastily. "And a thoughtful bloke wouldn't call me by it."

"Wait! You were in Slytherin? But everyone says those kids are all evil," said Zelda cynically.

Tonks burst out in joyous laughter. "Zelda, the fact that you've married the evil genius of Slytherin should tell you how real that is."

"Actually, she wanted to be in Gryffindor and whinged for seven straight years," sneered Severus. "She was completely insufferable."

His headache had eased and he was enjoying watching Zelda chat with Tonks.

"When are you going to have the big announcement and the party and all the fun that goes with being married? This secrecy is a bad idea, I think."

"Severus and I decided it would be simpler if we each finished with our current obligations at the end of the school year. By then we should be able to figure out what comes next," explained Zelda.

"Well, aside from being a sexy enigma, he's now the Deputy Headmaster. He's quite a catch, y'know, and some of our female colleagues are looking interested."

Zelda frowned and stared enquiringly at her husband.

"Don't bloody ask me," he said irritably. "They're all idiots. I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole."

"Severus, haven't you noticed Sibyll attempting to fawn all over you? Her adoring gaze during the staff meeting?" asked Tonks innocently.

"Merlin's bleeding arse, I thought she was having a fit. Demented fool of a woman!"

"What about the elegant Sinistra? Generally when she turns those lovely Spanish eyes on a wizard, she expects a response," continued Tonks ruthlessly.

A faint flush crept up his gaunt cheek as Severus said, "You were at the staff meeting, did you hear what a moron she is? It's a damn good thing the stars don't change much, or her ignorance would be complete."

"You never noticed the students who had crushes on you either, did you? Half the girls in my year speculated at one time or another about what was under those robes."

He shuddered. "Pathetic, hormonal brats. Why do you think I never allowed certain students to come to my office alone?" he replied acerbically. "If you haven't noticed any young dimwits in your class developing symptoms, be assured they will and protect yourself, Nymphadora."

"I can handle it," she replied confidently. "But I think you'd better start wearing a bloody wedding ring or something. Say, when did you get married? Who was there?"

"It was a handfasting," he said quietly.

Zelda had watched with amusement as Tonks tormented poor Severus, but when the young witch looked compassionately in her direction, she gazed limpidly back at her.

"What does that look mean?" she asked, irritated by the faint pity in those dark eyes.

"Well, no party, no big wedding…" said Tonks. "It doesn't sound like a girl's dream wedding, although it was probably Severus's dream wedding."

Zelda's eye narrowed and she snapped, "We had the most romantic fucking wedding in the history of marriage. It was perfect."

Her eyes flew to Severus, who had wondered briefly if his Zelda was cheated out of her dream wedding and was scowling. Their eyes met and she offered him a glimpse of her memory, smiling sweetly.

"I thought it was an acceptable wedding," he said mildly, his lips twitching faintly.

"Well, the sooner you tell people it happened, the sooner some of those sexy witches will back off," Tonks said practically.

His lip curled at the thought of being attracted to another woman. He might have been desperate enough to consider such substandard creatures before, but his Zelda was perfect for him; the rest of womankind mattered not a whit, he thought complacently.

"I should be going," said Tonks. "I have homework to check for tomorrow. Do I really have to keep your big news a secret?"

"Yes," snapped Severus.

"If you're dying to talk about it with someone, Kingsley and Minerva know," suggested Zelda. "Or there's always Dobby."

As they walked Tonks to the door, Severus reached for Zelda's hand and squeezed it firmly, twining his fingers through hers. When Tonks turned toward them to say goodbye, she surprised an intimate glance between the two that took her completely aback. She stared briefly before recollecting herself.

"Thanks for the invite," she said. "I don't know if you're around Hogwarts much, Zelda, but I'd love to see you again."

"I'd like that too," replied Zelda. "I work all week, of course, but we come here on Sundays for the staff meeting. And Severus is here every day."

"I'll be in touch then," said Tonks, smiling impishly.

"And Tonks, if you see those women pestering Severus, please hex them," murmured Zelda. "He's too polite to do it, but I think it needs doing."

Tonks was laughing as she left them. She had never imagined Severus married to anyone like Zelda, but she foresaw a lot of amusement if Professor and Mrs. Snape spent much time at Hogwarts. She couldn't wait to tell Remus.