Evening came. Ron and company descended from heaven to earth not without difficulty, destroying a large part of the Australian antidote stock in the process. Then Neville left to see Hannah off. Everyone had the tact not to ask why they went through Hogsmeade instead of going through the Vanishing Cabinet. Flushed from flying, Ginny suddenly remembered that she had not visited her parents for a long time, hastily said goodbye to everyone, kissed Harry and went to the Burrow via the Floo, taking Luna with her. And we were left just us three. Like before.

"Well, now I know for sure that this antidote works," Ron breathed with satisfaction, looking around the badly damaged store.

"Are you saying you doubted me?" I was indignant.

"Nah, but I like the way you get angry".

I threw a bag at Ron, he dodged. Harry grabbed the bag in front of the display case and handed it back to me.

"Are you still going to the bookstore, or was that an excuse for Ginny?" he asked.

"I was going to go," I sighed. "But I can't leave Ron in such a rout".

"No way," Ron protested. "When George dropped fireworks into the toilet, it was spectacular. And this is twaddle, I can handle it in an hour".

"Then we can do it together in twenty minutes. And then I'll be in time for the bookstore," I summed up.

We missed twenty minutes, because we were more fooling around than cleaning up, but after half an hour the store was shining, the back room lost its festive decoration, the clean dishes went to the buffet, and we went out into the street.

The High Street of Hogsmeade was crowded. Most of the students at Hogwarts seem to have taken advantage of Neville's careless promise. The younger ones walked with their parents, and those who are older - in companies or couples. At the Three Broomsticks and at the entrance to Honeyduke's, I had to work with my elbows to make my way in. George's distraction badges worked - no one paid attention to us. It was reminiscent of the good old days when we ourselves were still schoolchildren and wandered around the village, drunk from short lived freedom, chatting about everything and laughing at the simplest things. I wanted to tell Harry and Ron that I remember all our outings, all the jokes, all the undertakings, but the words seemed too clumsy and pathetic in my mouth, so I just walked and enjoyed the moment.

A new bookstore, Hopkins & Son, opened up on the eastern edge of Hogsmeade last year. The threshold was covered with snow. There were no traces of schoolchildren eager to learn more. Harry and Ron were visibly bored. Of course! It's one thing to save Hermione from a troll, and quite another to pick out books with her. With great difficulty, I convinced the boys that immediately after the purchase I would go home through the shop fireplace, which means that their noble duties for today could be considered completed. After all, Ron deserved to rest before tomorrow's school raid, and Harry has yet to learn of Ginny's departure... We agreed to meet soon and said goodbye.

The bell on the door tinkled, announcing a new buyer, but the young salesman just followed me with a bored look and stared out the window. I walked between the shelves. They were filled with school textbooks and literature for a wide range of reading. As Severus had warned, they preferred not to show off serious books here. However, the shop assistant continued to be bored, not paying any attention to me. Only a few seconds later I remembered George's invention and removed the badge from my robe. The salesman's eyes immediately shone with enthusiasm. Relieved, I handed him the list of readings and switched to the magazine rack, specifically the March issue of Potions Practice, hoping to see a familiar name.

"Severus Snape is on the verge of a landmark discovery," the cover announced to me. The tone of the article was more restrained than its title, but the intonation left no doubt - this is a professional confession: "Severus Snape was unanimously elected a member of the Guild", "his report at the Congress in Germany will be the most important event of the decade", "Horace Slughorn is proud of an outstanding student and looking forward to new things from him." Even my person flickered in a slight shadow: "Mr. Snape did most of the research in his home laboratory with the help of just one assistant."

"Your order" - the shop assistant easily lowered a stack of books onto the counter and looked with interest at the magazine in my hands. "Oh, and Potions too? What a smart witch!"

Oh, glory, you are a short-lived thing! Maybe Hermione Granger will soon cease to be recognized on the streets? That is too good to be true. But, most likely, it's something else.

I added the Potions Herald to the books and asked:

"How long have you been in the UK?"

"Since July," the man replied cheerfully. - "My pronunciations betray me, right? I'm Bob Hopkins, my parents moved to Minnesota right after I was born. And last year, my father decided to return and open his own small business. Well, he persuaded me. By the way, would you like to see the new arrivals? They aren't yet in the hall, but it is convenient in the warehouse ..."

"No thanks, Mr. Hopkins," I smiled.

"Just Bob!" The guy gave me an answering smile. "You're missing out on a lot; Flourish and Blotts don't get books like that. For example, last week we managed to get hold of the first edition of Budge. I had to look hard for it, but the happiness of the customer was worth it".

"The lifetime edition? With original illustrations?"

Hopkins whistled admiringly.

"Yes, you are an expert! Wow! You're first girl who didn't come here looking for fiction. You just need to take a look at the new monographs".

What kind of books are there? Is it really something rare? I almost decided to take a look at the promised treasures, but I remembered that I promised Ron and Harry that I would go home immediately after my purchase. And Severus? What if he had already finished his business with the ministerial folks?

"I'm sorry. At some other time. How much do I owe you? I'll take the magazine too".

"Just a minute, miss." Hopkins looked despondent, but immediately perked up. "Maybe we should go to a cafe? There are two good places here".

From surprise, I was embarrassed like a girl who was asked out on a first date. And I got angry with myself. Now this Hopkins will imagine that I blushed at his flattering offer.

"No, I have other plans for the evening," My Severus Snape's voice tinged slightly, and Hopkins looked at me puzzled.

"I didn't mean anything bad by it," he assured me. - "Just sit down for a cup of coffee, discuss books, you would tell me about the English traditions asking someone out on a date, because the American ones obviously do not work here ..."

Yes, it was awkward. I should have told him right away that I have… who? A boyfriend? A lover? A fiancé? A Severus! Yes, and say: "Sorry, Bob, I already have Severus!"

I barely managed not to laugh, but Hopkins got to see my smile in his own way.

"Shall I at least walk you home? Books are heavy. I promise I won't bother you! "

"No need," I sighed. - "You really don't need to carry them".

Hopkins shrugged his shoulders resentfully and slowly began counting the cost of the order, occasionally glancing at me. Now I'll have to look for another Floo to return home. Who knows, what if it's customary for American witches to leave a trace of their movement instead of a phone number?

After paying, I hurriedly shifted the books from the counter into my makeup bag and stuffed it into my beaded bag. Judging by the frozen expression on his face, the Undetectable Extension Charm was observed by the American salesman for the first time. And they say that Ilvermorny is an advanced school.

"Good luck," I muttered, "and thank you. You helped me a lot with the books".

I rushed to the door and nearly fell as I collided with the man entering. Strong arms grabbed me and held me up.

"Miss Granger," stated a familiar voice above the top of my head. "Do you have another way to express your joy at our unexpected meeting?"

Professor Snape's face remained impassive. But he didn't open his arms immediately.

"I'm sorry Professor, but two times can't be considered a statistically significant sample," I stammered, trying to keep a straight face. "But I bought the books on the History of Magic that you recommended".

"Commendable," Severus glanced sideways at Hopkins and indulgently asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Miss Granger?" For some reason he asked in a whisper. "The Hermione Granger? What a jackass I am!"

"Yes," Severus confirmed coldly. "You should have leafed through a book on the recent history of wizarding Britain at your leisure. With pictures".

"I'm sorry, Miss Granger...it never occurred to me..." Hopkins muttered, averting his eyes. Disappointment showed on his face, as if in a second I had turned from a girl into, say, Neville's grandmother. "Mr…uh…can I help you with something?"

"Another time," Severus said dryly. "Miss Granger, have you finished your shopping yet? Then please! "

The door swung open on its own, and we went out into the street.

Snowflakes swirled silently in the night sky. Frost prickled my face. Lanterns illuminated the already deserted street with bright orange spots, deep blue shadows between them. I couldn't resist and looked back. My failed boyfriend stared through the glass, wide-eyed.

"He seems to have suspected something," I remarked, and laughed.

"That's great," Severus grumbled, taking my arm. - "Don't slip now!"

We walked slowly through Hogsmeade. Walking arm in arm with the Potions professor in full view of other wizards? That's something new! I tried to think through this idea as figuratively and emotionally as possible. After a few seconds, Severus chuckled contentedly.

"A dubious cause for vanity. But don't count on any excitement. On the way here, I saw only a couple of passers-by. After sunset, Hogsmeade's life shifts abruptly to cafés and pubs".

"And how did you even get here? Did you visit Aberforth? And then? Met Harry and Ron?"

"That's right, Miss-I-Don't-Need-Legilimency. By the way, your friends assured me that you would go home through the shop Floo. Was it broken?"

"I have no idea, but Hopkins was tempted to invite me to a cafe, or walk me home, or show me interesting books in a convenient warehouse somewhere. Just in case, I decided to run away".

Severus stopped and looked back at the shop window.

"Stop it," I laughed. "He was being nice and polite. He just wanted to talk to me about books. And where are we going?"

" I have no idea".

" That's a good plan".

And we walked further. Hogsmeade was really empty, and the rare passers-by didn't pay any attention to us. I was about to retell the news about my visit to Hogwarts, about Ron and George's business plan, about Ginny's decision, but I sensed that Severus's thoughts were on something else and kept quiet.

We passed Ron's store with the March Hare in a purple top hat, reached the Three Broomsticks, and again found ourselves on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, this time on the west. From here, Hogwarts was clearly visible - the dark bulk of the castle dotted with bright windows on the far shore of the lake. I stopped, mesmerized by the magnificent view. Something in the landscape seemed unfamiliar, wrong. The answer didn't immediately come to me.

"Wait…Where is the Shrieking Shack!?"

"It burned down," Severus said evenly.

"When?"

"The ninth of January".

"Is that good?" I whispered almost soundlessly.

"Yes".

We stood side by side. The sleeve of his robe touched my arm, but I didn't dare turn around to look at Severus now. With what kind of eyes does he look at the castle? Maybe his face is now tired, with bitter lines around his lips and a vertical line on his forehead? Or young, almost boyish, as I remember him in the Forest of Dean?

Severus stirred, and I felt his eyes shift to me.

" What is closure and what is it for?" he asked.

"That's not fair," I protested. - "You said that without special efforts you feel only images if they are too emotional to keep within the boundaries of consciousness. And terms cannot be images!"

"They can. If they consist of book pages. With marginal notes," Severus protested. "Tell me what you imagined again".

He turned me by the shoulders and looked almost angrily at me, but then he pulled me to him, wrapping the wide hems of his robes around me.

"Professor McGonagall sees you as head of Slytherin," I complained, burying myself in his sweater, which smelled familiarly of sage and wormwood. "It seems to me that you also want that - to finally get normal memories from the school and the teaching profession, and not everything like it was before. Live this stage right. This is what "closure" is. It's probably great. But how can the Head have…" I hesitated, choosing a neutral concept. "a life outside of school?"

Severus paused for a moment, then replied softly.

"Minerva's dreams are Minerva's dreams. Not so long ago, the Headmistress made a reservation that she agreed to see me even as a visiting teacher. Provided that I will have someone to return to at the end of each day. She thought it was a funny joke".

"There will be someone to return to," I repeated to myself. And suggested out loud:

"Would you have Stunned her if you had taken advantage of her promise? Master class in Slytherin style".

Severus just chuckled vaguely and asked:

"Aren't you cold?"

"No." I rubbed my cheek against his sweater. - "I want to ask you one more thing. Just about the master… I read in the Potions Herald that you were accepted into the Guild…"

" So what?"

"You have become a Potions Master. And you didn't tell me. Why?"

"The antidote. Billywig Extract," Severus whispered into my hair.

"What?!"

"Your clothes and hair smell of antidote. Would you like to tell me why?"

I was confused. Harry spilled the antidote when I levitated his glass to the chandelier... But to tell Severus how crazy we were acting?

"Mmm… Are you sure you want details? It's just child's play. A prank. It was funny. It's embarrassing to tell you..."

"I understand".

I pulled back and looked at Severus.

"So why didn't you tell me that you became a Master?"

He shrugged.

"You answered that yourself".

We again went forward along the empty snow-covered road with rare lanterns along the steep shore of the lake. The condescending explanation stung me, but I could not find a response image to start the barb.

"To pass NEWTs and getting an honors degree is also child's play?" I finally chose.

"A necessity," Severus said at once. "Of course, a war heroine will be welcomed with open arms at the Ministry even without OWLs. But when they realize what a thorn in the backside they got, and that will happen quickly, they should not have a reason to throw you out on a plausible pretext".

He paused and then added:

"Besides, your diploma was useful to me".

"How?" I asked curiously, determined to ignore the "thorn" subject.

"I don't know about the Muggle world, but in the wizarding community they don't approve of alliances between a student of an educational institution and her teacher, even a former one," the Professor explained in an accessible tone, in which TV announcers say that the weather will be fine tomorrow, but rain is possible .

The announcement took me by surprise. The topic of a future shared with Severus was still something vague and shrouded in mystery.

"Wow!" was all I managed to squeak out. — "An alliance? Can I take this as a declaration of intent?"

He shrugged.

"Just a declaration. It doesn't obligate you to anything".

"It's little unexpected," I admitted honestly. "You walk around Hogsmeade with me, no Masking Spells, talking about long-term relationships. Are you sure you aren't jinxed?"

"I wasn't"

"So why?"

"Perhaps I was primitively jealous of Hopkins and got nervous?" Severus suggested just as calmly. "He's younger, not stupid, good-looking, loves books, almost free from local stereotypes… And he doesn't have the Dark Mark".

The icy wind blew so hard that I was chilled to the bone in one minute.

"Interesting thought," I agreed. - "Give me your hand!"

Without looking away, Severus held out his hand to me, palm up. He didn't move when I unbuttoned his cuff and rolled up the sleeve.

In the dim light of the lantern, the Mark looked like an old, faded tattoo. Like those stuffed by criminal teenagers who join a gang. However, that's pretty much what happened...

I covered the Mark with my hand. Severus didn't move, still staring at me intently.

A vein beat strongly and evenly on his wrist, measuring his pulse. That's where Severus Snape is: sixty beats per minute, a bitter, mocking mind, a steely will, and a burned but living heart. And a tattoo on his forearm is just a tattoo.

"You're absolutely right," I agreed. "Hopkins doesn't have the Dark Mark. And he has no scars from this war. You have them. And I have them. And I wouldn't trade them for anything. He doesn't measure up, got it?"

Severus nodded.

Fragments of chaotic but vivid thoughts swirled in my head. Dry snow fell from the sky. It was quiet and festive. And I think I even ran out of questions. For today.

With his free hand, Severus brushed the snowflakes from my hat and remarked in his usual caustic tone:

"We will speak more this topic later. Our conversation is no longer private".

He motioned with his eyes to the path leading to the boathouse. Two silhouettes approached from there.

I sighed. I don't think I've ever wanted to see Neville and Hannah less than I did now.

Severus "caught" my emotion and chuckled.

"Console yourself with the fact that we also interfered with them".

"Good evening, Professor Snape," Neville called after a few more steps.

"Greetings, Professor Longbottom, Miss Abbott," Severus said. - "A wonderful evening!"

"True, sir," Neville agreed, his voice without the slightest hint of confusion, as if meeting Snape and Granger on the snowy Hogsmeade road were commonplace. - "It's good that we met you. I was just talking to Hermione today... In short, we want to ask you... I mean you and Hermione, but I already invited her... Will you come to our wedding?"

"It will be a quiet celebration," Hannah added. - "Only family and friends. Please come, sir!"

"Family and friends?" Severus' gaze lingered on their hands, but Hannah was not embarrassed.

"Yes. Will you come?"

"When?" Severus asked casually.

"Sometime in August," Neville said for her. "We will send a postcard when we decide on the exact date".

"I can't promise anything. But I'll try to make it in time," Severus replied after a moment's silence.

"Thanks," Neville beamed.

"Well done," I whispered silently to him. Neville winked back, about to add something else, but Hannah squeezed Neville's elbow, delicately hinting that it was time to end the conversation. They said goodbye and headed towards Hogsmeade.

"Maybe we should go too," Severus suggested. He took my hand and I felt the tug of Apparition.

Battersea Park at night breathed spring, wet earth and freshly hatched leaves. Not far away, a memorial bench was discovered, from which it all began. No one looked at two people who suddenly appeared out of thin air a few meters from the path. I guess Professor Snape equipped himself with a platform for safe walks.

Severus chuckled at my thoughts again.

"Distraction Charms don't break the Statute, you can ask Potter. And if you don't want to walk anymore, there's a coffee shop nearby. Judging by the smells, they know how to brew coffee".

And the further, the more wonderful! From the look on his face, Professor Snape wanted to visit the coffee shop in much the same way that Ron wanted to visit the National Gallery.

"Is this again some point from the rules on the premarital behavior of Homo Sapiens?" I clarified. "But you make wonderful coffee yourself, you have a library where you can talk as much as you like about rare editions and unique monographs. With examples… And then you realize that you haven't been in the lab all day and become gloomy, grouchy and irritable again, and I just realized that I'm already a day behind the exam preparation schedule, I'll leave you to restore your peace of mind and I'll go to my place to learn new books on the History of Magic".

"Your stuff comes down to libraries and exams," Severus grumbled, but there was relief in his voice.

"Nothing of the sort," I said lightly. I stood on my tiptoes, touched my lips to the network of terrible scars on his neck, smoothed out the stubborn wrinkle on his forehead. "Lately it all comes down to you".

Severus' eyes went blacker than black. A familiar look that was breath-taking and dizzy. But his voice was still mocking.

"A familiar story. Looks like we'll have to get used to living with it".

He pulled out his wand, waved it, and a silver trail escaped from its tip. It froze for a moment in the air, and then rose above the trees and took shape.

A bunch of thoughts and memories flashed through my mind.

The Patronus... A doe... Beautiful. Sad... Why now?

"What is the connection between a winged cat and a bat? Or am I not understanding something?"

"Well, the wings..."

Wings…

"Wings," I whispered, "it didn't have them before, did it?"

"It didn't," Severus confirmed softly. "I have no idea why. Do not ask".

"Okay," I nodded. Then I leaned against his shoulder and looked up for a long time. And the silver doe, invisible in the Muggle world, hovered above us, covering the starry sky with its wings.