Title: Forever Yours

Rating: T

Summary: Severus is covered in blue goo from a potion mishap, when he realizes the wards in his rooms are down, fearing the worst he enters with his ward at the ready, nothing is changed except for the basinet, the baby, and the two notes……

Chapter 2: One Sweet Summer Romance…

Severus thought back to the previous summer. He had met a young woman near his home on Spinner's End. He had gone to a local pub after a long day. He was sitting alone. He had been to this pub several times, it gave him a place near home where he could go to get out of his house, and yet he did not have to be social.

For the past few nights, Severus had noticed a young lady. She was attractive with short black hair and stunning blue eyes, they were so bright one would think they were glowing. She had freckles on her nose and cheek bones.

Severus would notice her staring at him as he sat alone, night after night.

After a while she came over and sat with him.

"Hey there, where did you come from? I have not seen you around here before." She smiled taking the seat across from him.

"I have lived here my whole life. I teach at a boarding school up north, so I am not here much of the year." He told her honestly.

"Oh, so you are home for the summer then?" She smiled at him. "My name is Belle."

Severus took her extended hand, "Severus." He introduced himself as well.

"Severus, I like it, a very 'sever' name." She smiled. "So, Severus, what do you teach at this boarding school?"

"Chemistry," it wasn't a complete lie.

"Oh, a scientist?" She was still smiling, flirting with him.

Severus didn't say anything.

"You have the most mysterious eyes, they are solid black. That is not common." Belle started leaning over the table to get a closer look. "I'm sorry, I'm a geneticist. My specialty is European descendants. I just get overly excited about genetic traits."

"You have a passion for your job, there is no reason to apologize."

After their first introduction with each other they started to get to know each other, and spent more time together.

Severus realized, after a while, that he was falling in love with her. He knew he was going to be leaving for Hogwarts and would have to leave her.

"What school do you work at?" she questioned one morning as they laid in bed together.

"It's called Hogwarts, it is near Scotland."

"Hogwarts? You're a wizard?" Belle was a muggle and Severus never spoke of the wizarding world around her.

"You know of Hogwarts?" she was shocked.

"My sister's husband is a wizard. I know a little." She smiled at him, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Most muggles are uncomfortable about the idea of another 'world' out there with magical abilities." Severus was still shocked.

"So chemistry? Potions?" she smiled at him.

"Yes, potions." He smiled back.

"Wait, Severus Snape? Potions Master! I knew your name sounded familiar."

Severus sat up, "How do you know me?' He had never told her his last name. They were close but it just never came up, everything was still very casual between them. Severus knew his relationship with Belle would not last during the school year.

"You are not the angry, bitter hooked nose git Oliver described you as." She smiled as she brushed a bit of hair out of his face.

"Oliver?" Severus questioned.

"My little sister's husband, Oliver Woods, he was once your student. I have heard horror stories about the evil Potions Master, ever since they got married. But you are not as he described you. You are sweet and caring, and beautiful."

Severus didn't say anything. Suddenly he felt to old to be with Belle. He wasn't sure what her age was but if her sister was married to Woods, she had to be much her younger.

"Don't let what Oliver said get to you. It is clear he was just trying to make up entertaining stories for us." She tired to change his emotions but it didn't seem to be working.

"Belle, don't you think I am a little too old for you?" He questioned finally after a long silent pause.

"I am thirty-eight years old. If this is because my sister is married to one of your former students, she is my much younger sister. You aren't that much older than me."

Severus was forty, but he still felt old in comparison.

Several days had past and Severus was to be returning to the school within the week. He was not sure how thing would go between him and Beele but he knew he had to tell her. "I need to talk to you."

"Me too." She said, half smiling. "You first."

"I wasn't sure how we were going to handle this relationship, I have to return to Hogwarts by the end of this week. Term is starting soon." He was not looking at her as he spoke.

Belle was quite for a moment then reached out for his hand. "I think it is best if we just go our own ways for the year. If next summer we are both around, we can see where it leads from there."

Severus kissed the back of her hand. "If that is what you think is best."

She just smiled.

"Now what is it you wanted to tell me?" He asked.

"Oh, never mind. I doesn't really matter." Belle didn't say another word. Severus and Belle spend the rest of the day together laying in bed holding each other and silently praying this would not be the last time they were together.

Severus looked down at the sleeping baby's face. She looked so much like her mother. Severus had only known of this baby for a short amount of time, but he loved her more then he ever thought was possible. Tears rolled down his cheek as he held the baby close.