Poles Apart

by Slytherin99

Snape survived, but in a coma. Headmistress McGonagall arranges for a Russian professor to take over teaching potions, but she has some secrets of her own...and that's only the beginning of the story. Post DH, mostly compliant, perhaps AU, with several OCs. Rated M for safety. Chapter 6-10 revised 1/30/15.

5. Chapter 16 to 20

Chapter 16

July 1, 1999~

She woke up in the early hours of the morning, needing to go to the loo.

Twelve weeks to go, Ana thought idly as she pulled on her bathrobe and padded on bare feet to the bathroom. Twelve weeks, and maybe my life will return to some sort of normal. Twelve weeks, and maybe I won't be so horny all the time…

She smiled to herself ruefully. In twelve weeks, I imagine I will be too busy for much of that, unless we can prevail on the house elves to baby-sit.

She walked back into the bedroom, squinting at the Muggle alarm clock on Severus' side of the bed. Five in the morning. Ana yawned, and walked around to her side, taking off her bathrobe and tossing it across the foot of the bed. She'd taken to sleeping nude or just in panties, mainly because she couldn't stand it when her nightgowns got twisted around her. Sliding under the covers, she curled herself up next to Severus, sliding her hand down his chest.

"Can I help you?" He sighed wearily.

"Maybe…" She purred, tracing his navel with her finger.

"You're insatiable, witch."

"But I've missed you so much…"

"Yes, and you've reminded me of that every night." He said, rolling over on his side to face her.

"Did you sleep well? I slept great." She smiled, looking at him hungrily.

"Ana, I-"

"Shush." She said, pushing him onto his back and lowering her lips to his neck as she straddled his waist.

oOo

Severus frowned as he walked into the Potions classroom, headed for their rooms. He could hear Ana, laughing and talking within. Curious, he walked into their sitting room to find Ana reclining on the couch, a book in her hands.

"Who are you talking to?" He said, feeling a bit foolish.

"Daddy's home!" Ana smiled, gently rubbing her belly. Then she winced. "Ouch! Not so rough, now. I guess she's glad you've returned. She usually gets more active when she hears you."

"I…I see."

"Look, Severus," She said, pointing to a box of children's books, "Minerva and Poppy brought these for the baby. They're a nice mix of Wizarding and Muggle books. I've read three to her while you were gone for your meeting with the Headmistress. I think she liked Winnie the Pooh best."

He sat down in his armchair, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"Oh, and Poppy and the Headmistress are coming down tomorrow to help me remodel my old rooms into a private potions lab and a new study for you. You'll love it, just wait! It will have nearly double the shelf space for books, and-"

"Ana, I already have a study, next to our bedroom…" He began, then realization hit home. Surely she wouldn't…

"Oh, silly, we're going to remodel that into a nursery." Ana went on, putting a book mark in the book in her hands and setting it aside. A bookmark that looked for the entire world like a tattered old Chocolate Frog card.

oOo

A few nights later, Severus was lying in bed, wide awake. Ana slept peacefully beside him, her breath ebbing and flowing like waves on the sea. She was exhausted, having spent the day 'remodeling' while he hid in his study. He'd stayed up late, doing research on some of the topics he planned to cover in the fall term DADA classes. When he had gotten into bed, she had huffed angrily and turned on her side, her back to him.

He sighed.

I shouldn't have said what I did. He thought, running it through his mind. What harm was there in her turning my study into a nursery? It makes perfect sense.

She shifted slightly in her sleep, mumbling under her breath something barely audible.

He rolled on his side, spooning up to her, his hand finding its way around her to rest lightly on her belly protectively.

"I'm sorry." He whispered into her hair; feeling her stiffen slightly, then relax, as she woke up.

"I'm still angry with you." She whispered back, her voice husky with sleep.

"I know." He sighed, "And you have every right to be angry with me. I was unreasonable, and I apologize."

She was silent.

"Ana, I'm not very good at any of this. I-"

"Shush." She said quietly, interlacing her fingers with his over their unborn daughter. "I know that. That's why I'll forgive you."

"Besides," She sighed, snuggling herself back into his warmth, "I should have asked you about it first. I just got a bit carried away."

oOo

A few nights later, she woke up again when her child gave a particularly vigorous kick. Ana sleepily sighed, but didn't move. Severus was curled into a ball, his head nearly touching her belly. She smiled and closed her eyes, all ready to allow herself to drift back off to sleep when she realized what had awakened her.

Severus was talking to the baby, his voice soft and low.

"…never thought I could feel like this, about someone I've never met. In a sense, it's almost as if I've been reborn, given a second chance to love."

Ana realized that she was holding her breath, and made a conscious effort to relax and breathe normally.

"I hope you don't take after your mother, though you probably will." He sighed. "She can be so stubborn when she makes up her mind to do something. Never even asked me if she could turn my study into a nursery…but I could hardly refuse her. I could not refuse her anything."

He's so intent on talking to her that he doesn't even realize I'm awake, she thought, making sure her Occulmency shields were in place anyway.

"A week ago, I went to Gringott's, and got your Grandmother Eileen's ring from my vault. I…just can't seem to find the right time, or the right words. It seems so pointless now, as you'll be with us in a few months. I suppose it doesn't matter, but I want to do the right thing. I want to ask your mother to marry me.

"I…am a coward. I should have asked her months ago. She'd probably think I only want to marry her because of you, but that's not so. I only want her, nobody else. I can finally move on with my life."

"I just wish I would have had the courage to do this years ago."

Ana lay still, biting her lip as she fought the tears.

oOo

"Minerva?"

The Headmistress turned, and then walked over to Ana in the garden.

"It was a bit difficult to find you out here, dear." Minerva said, sitting down next to Ana on the stone bench near the fountain. "You said in your owl that you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes, I do." Ana said, casting a Notice-me-not charm, as well as Muffilato. Now anyone who came near would not hear anything but buzzing, even if they did get close.

"I need to talk to you, to get some advice about Severus." The younger woman said.

"Oh, Merlin!" Minerva huffed, "What has he done now?"

"It's more what he hasn't done." Ana said. "I…overheard him talking to someone recently, about asking me to marry him. He's…unsure of himself, thinks I would refuse him."

"Well, you're practically married already, under Wizarding common law." Minerva pointed out.

"Yes, but you know how Severus is." Ana sighed. "He would want to make everything official, to make sure that the baby's birth is all legal. I think he's worried about my reputation."

"That's Severus, all right." The Headmistress looked sharply at her. "Do you want to marry him, Ana?"

"More than anything in the world." She answered honestly. "He…he's everything to me. I've spent most of the last ten years wishing I could be with him."

"Even though he's still reviled as a Death Eater? He's not very popular, you know."

"What do I care? I love him, and I know that he loves me." Ana said, huffing in anger.

Minerva smiled.

"So…with all this secrecy," She said, "I'm guessing that you want me to do something to help encourage him?"

"Girl to girl…" Ana said shyly, "If you don't mind…"

oOo

Midway through July, on the 15th, Ana was sitting at her desk in the Potions classroom, checking her inventory list to prepare to order supplies for the fall term. Intent on writing down how many pounds of flobberworms were needed, she failed to notice when Severus came in the room.

"Time to order supplies, I take it?" He said softly, causing her to squeak in surprise. I wish he didn't move so quietly sometimes, she thought irritably.

"Um, yes. We certainly used a lot of flobberworms for some reason last year."

He walked over to her and stood there silently, watching her write. After a moment, he sighed and reached down to deftly pluck the quill from her hand.

"Severus! What the-"

"I need to speak with you, Ana, and I require your full attention. The order can wait."

"I…" She began, and then her voice trailed off as he offered her his hand, lifting her to her feet. For a moment, he stood looking down at her intently. Ana gazed up at him, her gray eyes wide, her right hand resting protectively on her belly, over their unborn daughter.

Taking her right hand, he knelt in front of her, his black eyes never leaving her face.

"Anastasia Romanov," Severus said, his voice shaky, "Would you marry me?"

Her other hand flew to her mouth as she gasped in surprise, her knees nearly giving way.

"Severus…I…yes." She half-sobbed. "Yes, I'll marry you. Конечно, я выйду за тебя замуж! Ох ..."

Dropping to her knees, she clung tightly to him, weeping with joy, whispering endearments in both Russian and English.

oOo

Arrangements were quietly made, with the sole delay being that Sir Petto had gone on holiday in Ireland. The owl took a bit of time to find him.

Minerva stood in the Room of Requirement, watching Sir Petto escort Ana to where she and Severus stood, flanked by Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter. She frowned at Severus, as he was looking intently at an empty space in the pews next to Argus Filch, his lips pursed in concentration.

Merlin, I hope he doesn't see through the Disillusionment spell, Minerva sighed to herself. The last thing we need today is for him to have another row with her, on his wedding day, of all things.

"Who gives this woman in marriage, to be bound today?" The Headmistress asked.

"Her late mother and I." Sir Petto said, dabbing at a stray tear with his hanky. He squeezed Ana's hand affectionately, and then passed it to Severus. Before he turned to sit down, he actually patted Severus on the shoulder affectionately.

Someone blew their nose, and loudly.

"Hagrid, really!" Poppy sighed with mild disgust. She glanced over at the disillusioned guest, relieved that Severus was distracted, giving them a brief smile and nod.

Harry Potter moved to stand to the right of Severus, and Ginny Weasely stood on the left of Ana. Ginny took a moment to straighten the long train of the light green wedding dress that her former professor wore, patting her on the shoulder comfortingly.

"You look beautiful, Professor." Ginny whispered.

"Dear friends," Minerva said, "we are gathered here together today to witness the union of two people who have elected to unite in matrimony under Wizarding law.

"Severus Tobias Snape, gaze upon your bride, Anastasiya Mariya Izabella Romanov, and take her by her hands."

After they had done so, Minerva continued.

"Severus, repeat after me: I, Severus, take thee, Ana, to be my lawful wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

"I, Severus," Severus said, his voice shaky, "…take thee, Ana, to be my lawful wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

"Ana," Minerva smiled, "Repeat after me: I, Ana, take thee, Severus, to be my lawful wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Ana looked up at Severus, her hands trembling in his.

"I, Ana, take thee, Severus," She paused, blinking away some of her tears, "to be my lawful wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

"The rings, if you please, Mr. Potter." Said the Headmistress. Harry produced them, handing two white gold bands to her.

"This represents eternal love and devotion, a bond that cannot be sundered, according to Wizarding law." Minerva announced, handing one ring to Severus, and one to Ana.

"Place the rings on the left finger of your beloved, closest to the heart, and repeat after me:

"With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, until the end of our time."

"With this Ring I thee wed," Severus said, his black eyes locked to Ana's gray ones, "with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, until the end of our time."

Ana was so nervous, she nearly dropped the ring.

"W-with this Ring I thee wed," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, until the end of our time."

"Face me." Minerva said, barely able to keep up her serious front, she was so happy.

"Let no man sunder what we have joined together. Severus, you may kiss your bride."

The kiss was gentle and far too brief for both of them.

"Now, if you will face the guests?" Minerva said, waiting until Severus and Ana had turned around, and Ginny had straightened the train on Ana's dress.

"May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape." The Headmistress said, as the staff in attendance stood and began to applaud the new couple.

A flashbulb popped, dazzling them.

oOo

July 19, 1999

Infamous Former Death Eater ties the knot!

An exclusive by Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet columnist and reporter

'Reformed' Death Eater and Hogwarts Potions Professor Severus Snape was married in a hush-hush private ceremony on Saturday, to the lovely and very mysterious new Potions professor who is his replacement. The bride has been identified as famous Beauxbartons war heroine Dr. Anastasiya Romanov. Readers probably remember her best for the body count that she racked up during the awful attack on the Beauxbarton's girls' dormitories, as well as her being horribly maimed in the incident, tragically losing her arm.

While this reporter was not able to take any photographs, she was able to ascertain with her own eyes that the new bride was well along in the motherly way. This begs the question: Was Snape forced to marry lest he shame the noble Romanov name? The Daily Prophet has made inquiries to the Russian Wizarding community, as well as Beauxbartons, seeking insight as how this event has come to pass.

Staff at Hogwarts have speculated to this reporter that as there have been no successful applicants for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, and that Severus Snape may have been chosen to fill that role. While his experience as a Death Eater certainly makes him quite knowledgeable of the Dark Arts, could he truly be suitable to teach children how to protect themselves against such vile wizardry?

Curiously, the bride was given away by Sir Marcus G. Petto, who is well known throughout the Wizarding world as an expert in several fields, notably medical research, prosthetics, and related magic. Given that Dr. Romanov was orphaned at an early age by a vicious Death Eater attack, this sheds a bit more light on the generosity and good deeds that Sir Petto is so well known for.

Due to an ugly incident at the wedding wherein Daily Prophet property was damaged by a vicious attack, charges may be filed to recover damages.

"Лежа сука! I'll kill her. How dare she write such lies about you!" Ana growled, carefully tearing the article from the paper and proceeding to shred it into tiny bits, tossing the scraps into the fireplace. "Я сломаю каждый из ее пальцев, и засунуть что перо из ее до ее-"

"Temper, dear. Think of the baby." Severus said calmly, barely keeping a smirk from his face.

It was certainly worth it to see her destroy that photographer's magical camera, He thought fondly. Those aren't cheap.

It had taken both Harry Potter and himself to pull a furious Ana off Rita Skeeter, with Severus quickly disarming Ana, taking her wand from her hand as she pushed it into the reporter's throat. Only when his new bride fainted, overcome by the stress, did he feel that there would not be a murder on his wedding day.

At least the ugly incident had caused Hagrid to stop his incessant blubbering into his hanky. The half-giant had been more than happy to escort a furious Rita and her hapless photographer from the premises, blood dripping from the photographer's broken nose. Severus didn't care; he had been more concerned about his wife, watching anxiously as Poppy examined her. Finally the Medi-witch had stood up.

"Both of them are fine, Severus." Poppy had chuckled, "you can start breathing again now."

He'd glanced over where he'd seen the unknown guest, obviously under a well-cast disillusionment spell, but they were gone, having left in the confusion following Rita Skeeter's ejection. He had his suspicions who it had been, but it didn't matter. As long as they didn't cause a scene, or talk to him, he was satisfied.

Now, he sighed, looking over at his wife, who was now sulking on the couch, twirling a stray strand of hair around her finger as she watched the scraps of newspaper burn.

"Do you need anything? Some water?" He said, rising to go to the small kitchenette she had installed when she had remodeled their quarters.

"I'm not an invalid, Severus. I'm just pregnant." She sighed, putting her feet up on the couch.

"Noted." He smirked. "Actually, I thought I might put the kettle on."

"Do we still have any of the chamomile tea? I'd adore you forever if you made me a cup."

"Certainly." He leaned down to kiss her, and then went to make the tea.

"Oh, and ask the house elf to bring some pickles."

He grimaced, not wanting to know what she planned to eat them with.

oOo

In a small coffee shop in Salamanca, Spain, a dark haired man with cruel features was browsing through The Daily Prophet as he sipped his espresso. When he got to the short article on Severus' wedding, he set his cup down, reading it intently.

"So…he is alive." Mused Antonin Dolohov, idly stroking the scar that ran down the right side of his face. "Perhaps this is my chance…убить одним выстрелом двух зайцев."

oOo

Author's notes-

"Конечно, я выйду за тебя замуж! Ох ..." =" Of course I'll marry you! Oh..."

"Лежа сука!" = "Lying bitch!"

"Я сломаю каждый из ее пальцев, и засунуть что перо из ее до ее-" = "I'll break every one of her fingers, and shove that quill of hers up her-"

"убить одним выстрелом двух зайцев." = "kill two hares with one shot." The Russian equivalent to "kill two birds with one stone."

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chapter 17

August 1, 1999~

Eight weeks to go, she thought as she lay awake in the dark bedroom. Glancing at the alarm clock, she saw that it was only two in the morning. Angrily plumping her pillow, she rolled over on her right side. Wriggling in the bed, she fought to get comfortable.

Merlin, I'm miserable, she thought. Up late working on my lesson plans for this fall after a late supper, and right now my daughter is using my bladder as a punching bag.

Ana rolled over to her left side, and Severus sighed. He couldn't sleep either, given how restless she was.

"Can I get you anything?" He asked patiently. "Do you need another pillow?"

"No!" She fumed irritably, rolling onto her back. "Maybe. I don't know what I need."

"I can't help you if you don't know what you want." He said cautiously, knowing full well he was treading on thin ice.

"I said, I DON'T KNOW!" Ana shouted, causing bluish-white sparks of magical energy to glow around her. "Если я не знаю, я не могу сказать вам! Глупо, невежественный человек!"

"I'm just trying to help." He sighed, rubbing his eyes.

"Well, just go sleep on the couch, then!" She snapped, glaring at him.

With a sigh, Severus got out of the bed, picking up his wand and walking out of their bedroom, closing the door softly behind him. He paused when he heard glass breaking on the other side of the door, but decided it would be wisest not to investigate.

She's already angry enough with me, he thought. No point in antagonizing her further.

oOo

September 1, 1999~

Ana leaned against the cool stone wall, catching her breath.

Well, I made it farther this morning than I did yesterday before having to stop, she mused. I guess this is one benefit of the baby 'dropping', as Poppy put it.

Oh, Merlin, my back hurts.

Four weeks till my due date. Twenty-eight days. I don't know if I'll make it.

I don't know if Severus will make it. I may hex him before this is over with.

She sighed deeply, leaning against the cool stone wall.

He's trying to help, she thought. I can't help getting irritated, but I should try harder not to take it out on him so much.

Both of them were exhausted these days. Despite her moodiness, Severus was patient and kind, attending to her every need even when she was grumpy. Ana felt guilty, but she had to admit that he was attending to her very well, even though she was positively hateful to him at times.

"I can make it to the loo on my own, I think!" She had snapped at him one night. Not because she was angry with him; she was just irritable in general, and dreaded the onset of the fall term.

Having to go to the loo every few hours was the most irritating part; she felt as if her bladder had shrunk to the size of a thimble. It didn't help that little Nina, as she had come to think of her baby girl, was a night owl and often decided that anywhere between one and three a.m. was the ideal time to begin tap dancing on mum's bladder.

Coming out of her reverie with a sigh, she began walking-she felt more as if she were waddling-toward the Great Hall. Even in her 'delicate condition' (a phrase Professor Flitwick had once used in conversation with her at the staff table-only once, after she had thoroughly singed his ears with stern lecture in English, Russian, and Latin, to the bemusement of several members of staff), she made it a point to go to breakfast at the very least. It wouldn't be possible at all if the castle didn't accommodate her in her journey, the stairs shifting to give her the most direct path to the Great Hall from the dungeons.

I wish I could just sleep for longer than a few hours a night, she sighed to herself as she walked.

Severus had been sent to the station to collect the new students with Hagrid, which added to her unease. Minerva had assured her that it was perfectly safe, that Hagrid and Severus together were in no danger. Indeed, it had been months since that nasty business with the Carrows, but most of the staff seemed to have forgotten all about it.

Not me, she thought grimly. I will stay alert, stay on my guard. I've worked too hard, waited too long, to have this happiness with my husband.

My husband. She smiled for a moment. I sure do like the ring of that, even though it's been officially so for not yet two months.

Even though he probably thinks I hate him right now, she sighed. 'Be patient and forgiving', the Headmistress told me long ago. I need to remember that…he's certainly been patient and forgiving with me.

oOo

September 15, 1999, 2:00 p.m. ~

"Go to the storeroom and get the following ingredients: aloe, janisroot, and Sommleor de menthe leaves," Ana said to the class of first years, writing it out on the board, then proceeding to write the first day's assignments. "Today we will be learning a simple ointment commonly used for relief of sunburn-"

The pain hit, low in her abdomen. She closed her eyes, gritting her teeth as she waited for it to pass.

Oh, no. It's too soon. It couldn't be…

She paused, taking a step toward her desk to lean heavily on it, beads of sweat springing up on her brow. Her shocked students gaped at her. Finally, it passed and she blew out a sigh of relief.

False alarm, she told herself, with a confidence that she didn't really feel. My due date isn't for two weeks yet. Just a false contraction, right?

"What are you staring at?" She snapped, glaring at her students. "Get to work!"

She sat down at her desk, picking up her quill and writing attendance in her grade book, looking up every so often to make sure the first years were working on their assigned potion.

Then it hit again, doubling her over her desk with an involuntary cry of pain, the quill falling from her hand, smearing ink across her grade book. The students looked at her nervously.

I…oh, Merlin, She thought, panic rising in her. Gods protect my baby, it's too soon.

Scribbling a note on a piece of parchment, she tied it to Ivan's leg.

"Go find Severus." She said, turning the bird loose. He flew like an arrow through the open doorway into the hall.

Ana grabbed a baby slipper off her desk just as another contraction hit, driving her to her knees. Clutching the slipper to her chest, she struggled to get her wand out, her horrified students looking on.

Oh, Merlin. Give me strength…protect my baby….

"Class…dismissed." She gritted out through clenched teeth, touching her wand to the baby slipper and activating the portkey.

oOo

September 15, 1999, 8:50 p.m. ~

"Shoo, Severus." Poppy said irritably. "Go to the waiting room, get some rest. I'll take care of her. Being as this is her first, it could take a while."

He looked down at Ana, her fists knotted in the sheets, her eyes tight with pain as she suffered through another contraction. Then it was over with, his wife relaxing, sweat beading on her brow. Picking up a flannel from the washbasin next to the bed, he wiped her forehead and face gently, concern written all over his face.

"It…it's okay, Severus." Ana whispered hoarsely, faking a good smile for him. "Go to the waiting room, I'm fine. Really I am."

Oh, Merlin, she thought, looking up at him. He looked awful, his hair askew, eyes dark with concern, worry furrowing his brow. I feel awful, but he is suffering, too.

"I…"

"Severus, I'll be fine," She said firmly, taking his hand and giving it a loving squeeze. "Shoo. Go get some rest. I'm not even dilated that much, it will be a while before the baby's born.

"Go on, now," She said, releasing his hand. "Get some rest; you'll need it later."

Numbly, he made his way out of the room, to the waiting room. Minerva looked up at him from her book. Ginny Weasley was asleep on the couch, curled up next to Harry Potter, her head resting against his shoulder. Hagrid was pacing up and down the length of the waiting room, causing both Professor Sprout and Filch to glare at him occasionally.

I feel so helpless, he thought, as he slumped into an armchair next to Minerva in the waiting room.

"How is she faring, Severus?" The Headmistress asked gently.

"She is very tired, Minerva." Severus sighed, rubbing his eyes. "It has been a long and difficult ordeal for her. I should be with her-"

"No, she'll be alright." Minerva said, patting his hand. "Poppy will take good care of her, and Midwife Spence is one of the best. She'll be fine, Severus. Stop fretting so much."

"If anything were to happen to her-"

"She'll be fine, Severus. Have faith."

Just past midnight, Severus started awake. Dozed off again, he sighed. I know Ana must be exhausted; she's been at this for ten hours.

Suddenly, the quiet in the Hospital wing was shattered by the cry of a newborn, waking both Minerva and Hagrid. Severus jumped up and began to run.

She was red, wrinkled, with a head full of black hair, and very cross, wailing loudly. An assistant Healer was busily cleaning her off, diapering her, and wrapping her up in a warm blanket. It didn't help her mood much, as she continued her protests.

Ana turned her head, looking over at Severus standing in the doorway, and smiled dreamily.

"Hello, dear." She said, slurring her words slightly.

"I went ahead and gave her a pain potion, Severus," Poppy said, as she did a bit of healing, standing between Ana's legs, "along with a bit of Dreamless Sleep. She had a rough time of the delivery."

"Is she alright?" Severus asked, crossing the room to take Ana's hand.

"Oh, yes, she's fine. Just worn out, the poor dear."

The assistant healer brought the baby over to Poppy, who smiled and handed her to Severus.

He took her awkwardly, terrified that he might drop her. She was squirming, still fussing noisily.

"I…I…be still, would you!" He said, thoroughly flustered, blushing as he tried to correctly hold his daughter.

The baby hushed, looking up at him with wide gray eyes. For a moment, he was sure she would break out in another round of screaming.

Instead she just cooed a bit, and then gurgled, reaching up to grab his nose with her tiny hand.

"You need to put her to Ana's breast, if you can." Poppy said, lightly touching Severus on the arm. "She needs to nurse as soon as possible, to get the colostrum, so she can get the natural antibodies so she has some immunity."

Severus carried the baby over to the bed, and after Poppy uncovered Ana's breast, gently laid her in her mother's arms.

"Hmm?" Ana said sleepily, her arms instinctively coming up to cradle her baby, bringing her daughter's face up to her breast. At the brush of the nipple on her cheek, her daughter turned her head and latched on.

"Oh…ouch!" Ana winced, "Котенок, not so rough, darling…"

She slid her hand across the bed to Severus' hand, intertwining her fingers with his with a weary smile.

"We did it." She whispered, wincing again as her baby nursed.

"I feel as if I did nothing." He said, leaning down to kiss her on her forehead. "You did it all."

"You were here for me." Ana said, squeezing his hand gently. "I can do anything when you are with me, supporting me. I've always known I could depend on you."

For a long moment, he was silent.

"I love you." Severus said quietly. "I'll always be here for you."

Ana smiled.

"You said it first." She said with a contented sigh, squeezing his hand. "Usually I say it first."

"I know…I…" he swallowed, then sniffed. "It just seemed like the only thing I could say to express how I feel…right now. I feel…relieved…happy…"

"Me too."

For several minutes, Severus just watched, standing close by to help if needed. The only sound in the room was his daughter greedily nursing, and the two healers quietly cleaning up the room after the birth.

He felt absolutely emotionally drained, exhausted. He looked at his wife, her eyes barely open as their daughter nursed.

Beautiful, he thought. There is no other way to describe them.

As he watched, both mother and daughter drifted off to sleep. When his daughter released her mother's nipple, she fussed a bit, but soon went back to sleep. Severus carefully moved the hospital gown to cover up Ana's breast, then, after a moment of hesitation, picked up his daughter.

"Shush, now." He said softly when she fussed a bit in her sleep. "Daddy has you, you're safe."

"Severus, we've set up a nursery in the next room." Poppy whispered softly, lightly touching him on the arm. "When the baby's asleep for sure, take her in there so mum can rest. She's worked hard tonight."

"She just finished nursing," he said, following Poppy out of the room. Minerva and the others were in the hall, but moved back so he could pass. Harry Potter was grinning like a fool; Ginny's eyes were sparkling with joy. Even grumpy old Argus Filch was smiling, showing the few teeth he had left. He felt Hagrid pat him gently on the back as he passed by.

"Congratulations, Professor Snape." Harry said.

Severus turned to look at Harry, and then nodded.

"If you will excuse me…" He said, "I need to put my daughter to bed."

He went into the room that had been converted into a nursery, where Poppy was waiting for him, having turned down the blanket in the crib. Severus gently laid his daughter in the crib, carefully covering her up with the blanket. He transfigured a flannel into a small teddy bear, charming it to alert him if she woke.

"That's a great idea, Severus." Poppy whispered. "Now, how about you visit with that bunch in the hall, send them home, and then get some rest? Ana may have done all the physical labor here, but you're exhausted."

He went out into the hallway, flinching slightly when Minerva took his arm, leading him gently to the waiting room. The rest of the 'bunch', as Poppy had referred to them, were already there, waiting for him to come meet with them. He endured about twenty minutes worth of being social, answering innumerable questions.

No, we don't have a name picked out yet. We've talked about several, but haven't decided on one.

Yes, Ana is fine. She's just very tired; it was a long and arduous process for her.

Yes, thank you.

No, Poppy isn't allowing any visitors. Besides, Ana's had a dose of Dreamless Sleep, so she's probably asleep now.

Her eyes are gray, like Ana's, and she has my black hair. Ten fingers, ten toes. She is perfect. She is beautiful.

Yes, I know, thank you.

He noticed that Poppy was at the doorway, watching the crowd press Severus with a look of disapproval on her face.

"Merlin's beard," She snapped, coming in to take Severus by the arm. "You lot need to go on, go to bed. Severus needs some rest before he collapses."

"Indeed," Minerva added. "I'm sure that if you come back in a week or so, it will be a much better visit. But as Poppy said, both parents-and their daughter-have earned some much-needed rest."

As the others shuffled out of the waiting room, Minerva stayed with Severus, guiding him to sit in a chair.

"Severus, I've arranged with Professor Slughorn to take care of Ana's Potions classes, and I've taken the liberty of canceling your DADA classes for a week. Will that be enough time for you to recover?"

"Yes, Minerva." He nodded. "I could teach tomorrow, if I could get a few hour's rest…"

"Hogwash." The Headmistress said curtly. "Your place, for now, is with your bride, the mother of your daughter. She'll want to see you in the morning, so I suggest you stay with her, in her room. You'll also be close enough if your daughter might need you. And Severus?"

"Yes?" He replied, nearly about to nod off in the armchair.

"Name her soon. We can't call her 'baby Snape' forever." Minerva smiled. "Congratulations, my boy. You deserve this."

"Daughters, I have heard, are difficult to raise." He smirked weakly. "As beloved as I am, this may be exactly what I deserve, indeed."

Minerva patted him on the arm, and then rose to leave.

"Get some rest, Severus."

oOo

Author's notes-

"Если я не знаю, я не могу сказать вам! Глупо, невежественный человек!" = "If I don't know, I can't tell you! Stupid, ignorant man!"

Котенок = "Kitten", an endearment often used for a daughter in Russian. Not as commonly used as other endearments, but Ana is rather old-fashioned.

Trivia: "Anastasiya" is derived from the Greek name "Anastasius", which means "resurrection"

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chapter 18

September 16, 1999, 2:58 a.m. ~

She sat quietly in her study after Argus had left to attend to his nightly duties, watching the fire burn low in the fireplace. Though it was nearly three in the morning, she didn't feel sleepy at all. She didn't feel like going to bed.

I want to go to see my grandchild, she thought wistfully. But Severus would never allow it. We haven't spoken in years, save for a few words at staff functions, or 'pass the salt, please' as the staff dinner table.

We ignore each other as best we can. I never venture into his territory, the dungeons, and he rarely bothers to visit the library lest he encounter me.

I am a stranger to my own son, she thought sadly, watching the flames flicker in the coals.

oOo

20 September, 1999~

Ana was sitting by the window in the nursery room in the Hospital wing, nursing 'Nina', when she felt someone come into the room. Covering herself and the baby quickly with a blanket, she turned to see who dared disturb her, a wandless hex forming in her mind, ready to stun the intruder.

She didn't recognize the woman at first, though she did look familiar. She was tall, and appeared to be in her sixties, though as fair and smooth as her skin was, it was difficult to tell her true age. Dressed all in black, black hair in a neat bun, piercing dark eyes peering at her over a hook-shaped nose.

"I…pardon me; I did not realize you were…occupied." The woman said nervously, turning to leave. "Excuse me."

"Wait!" Ana said, realizing who the woman was. "You're the librarian, aren't you? Madame…"

"Pince." The woman said softly, coming back into the room. "Irma Pince. I…I don't think we've ever been formally introduced. Severus…he and I are not on the best of terms."

"Oh. I…I'm sorry to hear that, Madame Pince."

"Please, no need to be so formal. Please call me Irma."

The librarian transfigured herself a chair from a pencil she took out of her pocket, setting it across from Ana near the window, and sat down with a quiet sigh.

Ana watched her warily, though she kept a friendly smile on her face.

'Nina' began to fuss hungrily, hunting for the nipple.

"Please, continue if she's hungry," Irma said, beginning to rise. "I can come by another time. She's far more important."

"No, you don't need to go." Ana sighed, "I'm assuming you've had children?"

"I…yes." Irma said softly, sitting back down. "I had…a son. Once."

Ana deftly repositioned her daughter, and soon felt the familiar tug on her already sore nipple. She winced as 'Nina' began to nurse vigorously.

"Sore?" The older woman asked, and when Ana nodded, she smiled sympathetically. "My boy…he was rough on me at first, too. He was always very aggressive when he nursed."

"Forgive me for asking," Ana said, "But what happened? Did he…um…"

Madam Pince had gone deathly pale, her hands knotted in her robes.

"I…I'm sorry to be so rude." Ana said quickly, blushing at her faux pas. "Just forget that I asked about it, it's none of my business."

"No, I fear it is your business." Madam Pince said, so softly that Ana could barely hear her. The older woman began to say something else, but choked it off in a strangled sob, fumbling for her hanky.

"I…I'm sorry, I really should go." She sniffed, dabbing at her eyes.

"No, it's alright." Ana replied. "Please, continue. What about your son?"

"Severus…is my son." Madam Pince said nervously, glancing behind her at the door. "Few here at Hogwarts know this. You…are only the fifth person who knows…the truth."

Ana sat perfectly still, eyes wide in shock, unable to speak.

Oh, Merlin… she thought, realizing just who the woman was.

Rising from her chair, Madam Pince transfigured it back into a pencil with a wave of her hand and a few softly spoken words in Latin.

"I…need to go." She whispered, blinking back tears. "Severus wouldn't want me to be here…but I just wanted to see my granddaughter. Just for a moment."

"Wait! I-" Ana cried out, disturbing 'Nina' who began to wail her displeasure.

Madame Pince turned and fled the room, leaving Ana staring after her.

oOo

Minerva came by after lunch to see her and 'Nina', cooing at the child as she held her and giving Ana a much needed break to take a short nap. When she woke up, it was nearly two in the afternoon.

"Headmistress, why didn't you wake me?" Ana yawned, crossing to the couch to take 'Nina' from Minerva. From her fussiness, she could tell her daughter was hungry again, and she quickly set her to the breast. Minerva smiled.

"Don't worry." The Headmistress said. "I would have awakened you if she got too fussy. Motherhood is a strenuous job, as I'm sure you know by now. Have you and Severus decided on a name for her yet?"

"No," Ana said, shaking her head. "Severus is being stubborn. So it's 'Nina' for now, I suppose."

Minerva chuckled at that.

Ana, remembering her odd visitor that morning, decided to gamble. I don't know who the other four people are who know that Madame Pince is Snape's mother, she thought, but I'm willing to bet a few Galleons that Minerva is one of them.

"Speaking of motherhood," Ana said carefully, "Something interesting happened this morning."

Minerva smiled slightly, raising her eyebrows.

"And what was that?" The Headmistress said genially.

"I met Severus' mother this morning." Ana said, shifting 'Nina' slightly to be a bit more comfortable. "Or, someone who claimed to be his mother. Madame Pince."

Minerva's smile vanished, replaced by a look of extreme discomfort. Producing her wand, the Headmistress shut the open door and warded it, the lock snapping into the mortise with a click.

"So it's true." Ana said quietly.

"Ana…"

"Why all the secrecy?" Ana asked. "The poor woman acted like she had to sneak around to see her own grandchild, for Merlin's sake!"

"Ana, please listen to me." Minerva sighed. "It's…very complicated. Few people here know Madam Pince is Severus' mother. Severus, of course, knows. Myself, Poppy, Filch, and now, you."

"But why? Who is she hiding from?"

"At first, Tobias, then later, the Dark Lord. Albus was afraid that she might be used as leverage against Severus, and convinced her to stay here."

"Severus has never mentioned her to me." Ana said, "Not once. Now she just shows up, scared to death he might catch her talking to me. Why?"

"I can't tell you that. I do know they don't get along that well, but they are civil to each other in public. Just barely."

"There's no reason for her to hide, so why do it?"

"I'm not sure." Minerva said gently. "Perhaps, it's because…even though she's safe here, she's still afraid."

oOo

Nearly a month later, a few weeks after Ana had moved back home with Severus, she asked him about it. She was lying in bed with him, curled up in his warmth, after having nursed 'Nina'.

"Rachel?" He said, with a sigh.

"No, I don't think I like that one."

"Ana, we need to choose a name at some point." He sighed in exasperation.

"What about…Eileen?" She asked cautiously.

"No. Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"That was my mother's name." He huffed.

"Seems like a nice name. I like it." She said defiantly. "Why not name her after your mum?"

He said nothing. She could tell he was angry, just from his body language.

Решить одну проблему, и вы держите сотни других прочь, she thought.

"You'll never solve this problem without talking about it." Ana said, steeling herself. "I met your mother a month ago. I know that she's here at Hogwarts."

For a moment, he just looked at her, astonishment on his face. Ana bit her lip, putting up a brave front, but inside she was terrified. He's going to fly mad, I just know it…

Anger clouded his face, and then faded as he sat up in the bed, turning away from her. He was trembling.

"Severus?" She said hesitantly, reaching out to touch his back. He shivered slightly, but he didn't get up and leave as she feared.

Ana got up on her knees, walking on them across the mattress to Severus to slide her arms around him.

"I…I'm sorry, Severus." She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry I mentioned it, darling, please don't be angry. Just forget it…"

He shook his head, his hand coming up to clasp her arm gently.

"You're scaring me, darling…please say something, anything…"

"It's…alright." He sighed, relaxing a bit. "I should have figured you two would meet eventually."

Ana wrapped herself around his back, her thighs on either side of him, resting her cheek on his shoulder. She closed her eyes as she hugged him tightly.

"Severus, you know I love you." She said softly, "I would never do anything to hurt you."

"I know." He sighed.

"She is Nina's grandmother, whether we like it or not."

"I suppose so."

"Do you mind if I visit her, with Nina?" Ana asked nervously.

He hesitated, and then shook his head.

"I…don't mind if you do." Severus sighed. "It's just…we have some issues, she and I."

"Honestly, Severus, how bad could it be?" She pleaded with him, sliding her hands up to massage his tight shoulders. "I think she's as frightened of you as you are angry at her. When she came by to see Nina and me, she kept looking at the door, as if she were expecting you to come in at any moment."

"Well, I am your husband." He observed dryly. "It was certainly a possibility."

"I think you should talk to her," Ana said carefully, "sometime soon. You might be surprised. I never had much contact with her in the past year, though I do know she has a reputation with the students as being rather…unpleasant. But she was very kind to me when she came by the other day."

"I don't know if I can." Severus sighed. "We're lucky to get through a school year without being at each other's throats. "

"I like Eileen." Ana said softly.

Severus rolled his eyes heavenward. Merlin, why me? He sighed to himself.

oOo

Madam Pince looked up from her desk when the doors to the library opened, two students walking in. It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon, with few students coming in. She turned back to her book, turning the page.

"Thank you, Mordecai," someone said near the door, wheeling something in. Madam Pince frowned, placing her bookmark in her book and preparing to scold whoever it was for too much noise.

Then she saw that it was Ana, pushing a stroller in front of her.

The snappish, grumpy librarian began to panic, backing toward the doorway to her office.

"Hello, Madame Pince." Ana said sweetly, "May I have a word with you? Privately?"

"I…I…" Irma began, and then numbly gestured toward the door to her private office.

"Thank you." Ana said, rolling the stroller into the room, with Madam Pince following behind reluctantly.

Nina had started to fuss, so Ana quickly lifted her from the stroller, shushing her and gently rocking. Madam Pince stood next to her desk, eyeing first the doorway, then Ana, and then Nina, all with about the same amount of trepidation.

"Please, Irma, do sit down." Ana said gently. "You don't mind if I call you Irma, do you? If you're going to hold her, you might want to be more comfortable."

"I don't…I can't…Severus…"

"Oh, bother!" Ana sighed, getting up from her chair and walking over to her. "I've talked with Severus about this. He wasn't upset with me, and when I asked him if I could visit you, he agreed. So, do you want to hold your granddaughter or not?"

Numbly, Madam Pince nodded, holding out her hands. Ana carefully transferred her daughter over to her, the older woman trembling slightly as she cradled the little girl. Nina sleepily looked up at her with curious gray eyes and yawned.

"She…she's beautiful." Madam Pince whispered reverently, her eyes shiny with tears. "I…um, thank you."

"It's my pleasure." Ana said softly, carefully assisting the older woman to her chair behind the desk, helping her sit down.

"What…what about Severus?" Madam Pince asked, a touch of fear in her voice.

"It's fine, Irma." Ana said, patting her arm. "I discussed coming to visit you with Nina last night with him. Whatever problems there are between you two, he was agreeable to you visiting with Nina, at least."

"I see." Madam Pince sighed, rocking Nina gently.

For a few minutes, they sat silently in the office, the only sound being Nina gurgling occasionally.

"Irma, I think you should talk to Severus." Ana began carefully, noting the panicked expression that came to the older woman's face.

"I…I just can't. He…" Madam Pince said, and then sighed. "We get along…as long as we don't talk very much. He and I…well, I haven't been a very good mum to him."

"What does that matter?" Ana protested. "He's my husband now. You're my mother-in-law, and Nina's grandmother. We need you, and you need us."

"But I…"

"No buts!" Ana said sharply. "My parents are dead. My stepmother is dead. All we have for Nina in the way of grandparents is my stepfather…and you. So, we need to get any problems between you and Severus worked out, and the sooner, the better."

"I can see why Severus married you." Madam Pince said, smiling slightly. "You're very determined."

"What do you mean?"

The older woman sighed.

"After all he's been through, I was sure that he would never find someone." She said, repositioning Nina as she squirmed a bit. "I'm sure that you've figured out that he doesn't trust others easily."

"Yes, I know that." Ana said frankly. "I spent years trying to convince him that we should be a couple…"

Then Nina gave a bit of a fuss, shushing when Madam Pince spoke softly to her. Carefully, she got up to give her to Ana.

"You'd better feed her," Madam Pince said gently. "I need to check on the students in the library, but I'll be back."

When the door closed behind the librarian, Ana unbuttoned her robes and her blouse, and put Nina to her breast. She winced as her daughter began to feed greedily.

"What do you think, kitten?" She sighed, and then smiled down at her daughter. "I think that the only person we need to talk to now is that grumpy daddy of yours. Your grandma seems fine to me. Once we get them talking civilly, things should be fine."

oOo

"Severus."

He stopped and turned to see Minerva walking up behind him. With a sigh, he waited for her to get to him impatiently; he had one more DADA class to teach and then his day was over. Or perhaps more accurately, he would finally be able to perhaps catch up on the essays that needed grading.

"Headmistress." He said, arching an eyebrow.

"I need to talk to you." Minerva said, obviously upset. "Ana knows who Madame Pince-"

"Yes, she told me last night." Severus sighed. "I don't see any harm in it, Minerva. Everyone who's ever wanted to harm her is long gone by now."

"Actually, I was concerned about you. Are you okay with this?"

"I don't see as I have much choice in the matter. My headstrong wife has seen to that."

"Are you going to talk to her now, Severus?"

"I don't know."

Minerva sighed in exasperation.

"She was at the wedding, wasn't she?" Severus said flatly. "Disillusioned, sitting next to Filch? Did you really think you could fool me?"

"She was. I feared, just as she did, that you would cause a scene."

"You have so little faith in me."

"I know how you can be."

"There would not have been a scene if she would have just not attended."

"Really, Severus!" She snapped. "She's your mother! I would think that you could perhaps put your differences aside and let her enjoy her grandchild, at the least. You don't have to forgive her."

"That…" He said coldly, "Is up to me."

oOo

"So, it's been rather like a Muggle witness protection program." Ana said.

Nina was dozing in her stroller, and she and Madam Pince were having afternoon tea, along with some sandwiches and biscuits brought by the house elves.

"I suppose so." The older woman agreed. "Albus thought it best to protect me, from…Tobias. Since Severus was attending school here, it only made sense. Later on, when…"

She sighed heavily, pursing her lips together.

"Are you alright?" Ana asked.

"Yes…it…it's difficult for me to talk about." Irma sighed. "I blamed myself, for a long time. I didn't understand why he went into the service of the Dark Lord. I was… ashamed.

"I tried to leave, but Albus insisted that I stay. He…was concerned for my safety, and he was also worried that…the Dark Lord, if he found me, would use me to manipulate Severus."

"So, in effect, you were a prisoner here at Hogwarts." Ana said quietly.

"I was. Worst of all, my son…he refused to speak to me. Those were dark times, and he was under enormous stress. Of course, I didn't know why, only that he was positively hateful to me."

Ana took a sip of tea, and then set her cup back down on its saucer.

"Do you think that perhaps he didn't want to burden you with what he was doing?" Ana asked. "With the knowledge that he was a double agent working to bring down the Dark Lord?"

"Perhaps." Irma admitted. "I know he was angry with me for a long time. He considered me weak, useless, believed that I didn't care about him. I…I was helpless against Tobias, especially when he was drinking. He was sweet and kind to me when we married, but then…"

The older woman shuddered, reliving old memories.

"I tried my best, Ana, but I had to survive." She said sadly. "I should have taken Severus and moved out the first time he hit me, or the first time he hit Severus. But I loved him. I thought he would change, I believed his apologies, and his promises to do better, to never hit us again, never drink again…"

"It wasn't your fault." Ana said gently, taking the older woman's hand and giving a reassuring squeeze. "Don't punish yourself for it. Just be a better person now, not allowing your past mistakes to define you."

"You know, we have more in common than Severus and Nina." Ana said, checking on her daughter. "Severus kept us both in the dark during those war years. I remember when I found out he was a Death Eater…I was so angry with him."

"You were?"

"Oh, yes." Ana nodded. "I'd just finished my graduate course work at Beauxbartons. We happened to meet at the beach in Corsica while we were both on summer holiday, and…well, we had…um, a fling."

"A fling?" The older woman smiled. "So romantic."

"It was." Ana sighed. "He was…I had a crush on him for years, got to where I disliked him intensely, but he was so charming, so much fun. We spent the whole day together, went shopping, a candlelight dinner…"

She blushed, and then went on.

"…we spent the night together. The next morning, I saw the Dark Mark on his forearm. I was crushed. You see, Death Eaters murdered my parents, and also the couple that Severus took me to…"

Ana closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, letting it out.

"I…my first reaction was to kill him." She smiled thinly at the look of shock on Madam Pince's face. "I…I just couldn't do it. I tried to just leave him a note, telling him I knew he was a Death Eater, that I would kill him if I saw him again…but I tore it up. I…I ended up just leaving him there, asleep in the bed, not knowing how close he came to dying. I walked away."

By now, Irma had a puzzled expression on her face.

"Was Severus involved in…the deaths?" The older woman asked, her voice a hushed whisper.

"No. He wasn't. He…" Ana sighed, defeated. "It's rather complicated, the relationship between Severus and me."

"But you love him?"

"Yes." Ana smiled. "Yes, I do. I realize now, looking back, that I couldn't forgive him for being a Death Eater then, but I did love him, enough that I could not bring myself to harm him. For many years, I thought of him as my hero…later, I had relationships with other men, but…it seemed that they always fell short.

"They…weren't Severus. None of them compared to him. But even when I…started seeing Severus, it wasn't easy."

"At first, we fought. We fought a lot." She sighed. "When I look back on it, much of it was my fault. But it's easier now…we reached an understanding. Does any of this make any sense to you? You probably think I'm mad."

"No, dear." Madam Pince smiled. "I understand you completely."

oOo

Author's notes-

Решить одну проблему, и вы держите сотни других прочь. = Solve one problem, and you keep a hundred others away.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chapter 19

September 20, 1999~

"Absolutely not!" Severus snapped, towering over Ana. She was at more of a disadvantage than usual, since she was barefoot and he was wearing his dragonhide boots, but she still glared stubbornly up at him, her arms crossed defiantly.

"Lower your voice. You'll wake up Nina." She hissed, her gray eyes flashing like flint.

Her hair was down, for once not in her trademark French braid, for she'd washed it that evening, and had been sitting at her vanity brushing it out when he'd stormed into their bedroom. Brandishing the papers for the Ministry birth certificate, he'd slapped them in front of her and pointed his trembling index finger at it.

Katerina Eileen Millicent Snape, it read, where she had filled it out with her elegant cursive writing.

"I didn't sign it yet, you know." She sighed, setting down her hairbrush. "I was going to talk to you before I signed it and made it official."

"Well, you will change it, then!" He hissed.

"I will not. Not until you stop behaving like a petulant child toward your mother."

"Insufferable witch-"

"Severus, we have discussed this." She said calmly, a bit more calmly than she felt. "I want her named Katerina, after my late mother, and-"

"We are not naming our daughter after my mother-"

"Severus!" she snapped, beginning to get angry again. "You are getting entirely too loud, and you will wake up Nina! Now, we can discuss this quietly, or not at all!"

He stood there glaring down at her, his fists clenched.

"Will you keep your voice down now?" She asked, picking up her hairbrush again.

With a sigh, he nodded his head in resignation.

"Come with me." She said, walking into the sitting room. He followed her there, to stand awkwardly beside the couch.

"Sit." She said gently, pushing on his chest until he sat down on the couch with an exasperated sigh. Pushing his legs apart with her knee, she gracefully pivoted and sat down regally in front of him, handing him her hairbrush over her shoulder. With another sigh, he took the hairbrush from her and after a moment, began to brush her hair.

"Now, we need to name her." Ana said quietly, glad that she had her back to him so he couldn't see the smirk on her face. He's almost ready to give in, she thought, composing herself so as to not irritate him even more. "I'm sure we're in agreement there."

"I see nothing wrong with Rachel." He huffed, gently loosening a tangle. "Or Elizabeth…or Sarah."

"No, there's nothing wrong with those names." She sighed; relaxing as he steadily brushed her auburn hair. "Do you think I should cut my hair short, now that I'm a mother?"

"No. Don't change the subject." He said, continuing to brush. "Why are you so dead set on using my mother's name? Or rather, her…old name?"

"Severus, the only person who seems to have a problem with it is you. It's not like many people will know."

"It will be her name, for Merlin's sake!" He snapped.

Ana sighed heavily and leaned back against him, closing her eyes.

"Severus," She said softly, "I love you…but you can be such an insufferable git."

oOo

"Ana! What a surprise!" Madam Pince said when she opened the door. "Come in!"

"Severus had a meeting with the Headmistress after classes today, so we have until dinner." Ana said as she walked in, Nina perched on her hip.

"I…oh, wait here in the sitting room a moment; I found the most wonderful thing-"Irma said, flitting out of the room.

Coming back in carrying a rolled up rug, she carefully spread it out on the stone floor.

"A magical play rug…" Ana breathed softly, her eyes wide in wonder at first, then darkening with something else entirely. "I…um, could you take Nina? I…excuse me…"

Handing her daughter to Madam Pince, she fled to the bathroom.

oOo

"She's far too old for such a thing, Marcus! That's for a baby!"

"Nonsense!" Marcus Petto said, lugging the rolled up rug into her bedroom. Ana looked up, surprised that her adoptive parents were arguing. She'd lived with them for three months, and this was the closest they'd been to cross words with each other. With a flourish, her adoptive father spread the rug out on the floor and murmured a few words in Latin, smiling as it glowed briefly.

"Ana, my dear, I got you this to play on." Her stepfather grinned. "It's a magical rug."

"Marcus, it's for young children." Millicent huffed. "She's almost ten years old, far too old for something like this!"

"Nonsense, dear." He chuckled, and then turned back to Ana. "If you don't want to play on it, it's still a nice rug, right?"

After dinner and her bath, she sat on her bed, eyeing the rug suspiciously. She'd been careful to avoid stepping on it all evening. It could be some kind of trap.

She had the dream again that night, the one where the werewolves were at the closet door as she hid amongst her mother's clothes, praying that they would pass by.

With a sob, she awoke to the dark, unfamiliar bedroom, in a strange bed, covered by a duvet that didn't smell right to her. Stumbling from the bed, she did what she'd been avoiding until now.

She stepped on the magical rug.

Instantly, she felt calmer. The rug was warm and comfortable under her feet, and somehow, she knew that the werewolves could not touch her so long as she was on it.

The next morning, Marcus Petto cautiously cracked open the door to his adopted daughter's room, worried that she might not have slept well.

"Millicent!" He whispered, "Come here…"

"What?" His wife sighed, setting down her cup of coffee and walking into the short hall that led to Ana's bedroom. Marcus held his finger to his lips, and then opened the door a bit wider.

Millicent smothered a gasp of surprise with her hand, her eyes wide.

Ana was sound asleep, curled up on the rug.

oOo

When she returned, Ana found Madam Pince sitting on the floor next to the rug, with Nina lying on her back, gurgling happily and trying to reach the fairies that floated around her on the magical mobile that her grandmother had conjured up for her.

Irma took in Ana's puffy eyes and reddened face and sighed.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, dear." She said. "Are you alright? I didn't mean to bring up bad memories for you."

"It's alright. I…it was a good memory, really." Ana said softly, dabbing at her eyes with her hanky. "I'm very surprised that you were able to find one for her. I thought they weren't made any more."

"It reminded you of your childhood?"

"Yes…I remember having one…at least I remember playing on it when I was older."

For a while, the two women sat in silence, as Nina cooed.

"I…well, I bought the rug, but it was a long time ago." The older woman said hesitantly. "It was Severus', when he was a little boy."

"I thought it might have been." Ana said, nodding to her daughter, who was lying on her back on the rug, quite content with it.

"I don't know much about you, really nothing at all." Irma said quietly. "Most women know…their daughter-in-law fairly well before the marriage. You didn't seem to have much need for the library resources, so other than seeing you at the staff table during meals…"

"Well, ours is an unusual relationship." Ana smiled. "I had no idea that you were Severus' mother, and by the time I figured it out, we were married."

"Indeed."

Ana bit her lip for a moment, thinking deeply.

"I don't know how to make things any easier." She sighed. "Ask me whatever you wish. If I don't feel comfortable answering your question, I'll say so."

Madam Pince nodded in agreement.

"In return, I offer you the same courtesy." The librarian said softly. "It's only fair."

"Then, tell me." Ana said, leaning forward eagerly, "What was Severus like when he was a boy?"

oOo

Much as he preferred to avoid it, it finally happened. He was researching some material for his DADA class, when he found that what he needed most was in the library. Severus sighed.

SHE would be there, of course.

He checked his bookshelves again, but could not find anything helpful regarding the Blue-backed wyvern.

With a deep sigh of disgust, he headed to the library.

"Ah…Professor Snape…I…" Madam Pince said hesitantly, looking as if she would much rather just hide under her desk.

"I need a book." He said sharply, crossing his arms. "Poincare's Detailed Taxomy of Familiars."

"Um…let me see." She said nervously, scanning the card catalog with her wand. "Ah, here it is. Aisle H2, near the back. Shall I get it for you, Professor?"

"That won't be necessary." He sneered, sweeping past her in a billowing cloud of black robes.

"Severus!" She snapped irritably. "That's enough! I never taught you to be so rude to someone who was trying to help you. Where are your manners?"

"I do not think that you…" He began, wheeling on her quickly enough that she retreated a step, frightened. Then he paused.

He was looking at her desk, a peculiar expression on his face. Pushing past her, he stepped over to the desk and picked up a bit of white cloth, trimmed in delicate hand-made lace. By the feel of it, the material alone was quite expensive, the finest silk, he guessed.

"Give that back!" She said, panic in her voice as she snatched at it, missing as he easily held it out of her reach. Scissors, spools of thread, and other bits hit the floor as he bumped the desk evading her.

"What is this supposed to be, exactly?" He asked quietly.

"It…it's for Nina." Madam Pince replied, wringing her hands in despair.

His face an unreadable mask, he carefully placed the dress on the desk and swept past her to the library doors. They made a hollow boom behind him as he left, old dust sifting down from the ceiling beams.

oOo

Ana was sitting at her desk, grading essays after nursing Nina and allowing one of the house elves to tuck her in for a nap.

The floo flared to life, Madam Pince's face appearing in the green flames.

"Ana? Are you there?" She fairly shouted.

"Yes!" Ana whispered urgently, leaping up and crossing the room to the fireplace, holding a finger to her lips. "Shh! I just put Nina down for a nap."

"Oh…I'm sorry I shouted," Irma said, her face contorted with fear, "but Severus just left my office. He saw…oh, Ana, I was making a christening dress for Nina! It…was to be a surprise for you. He…"

"Did he say anything about it?"

"No, not really. He just put it back down on my desk and left. Slammed the door to the library, he did."

"He's not angry, Irma." Ana sighed, rubbing her forehead. "He…how do I put this…he doesn't accept someone doing him a kindness very well."

"I'm well aware of that."

Ana smiled at Madam Pince's ghostly face in the flames.

"A christening dress?" She said quietly.

"I…yes. I don't have any, so I made one for Nina." The older woman sighed heavily. "I was supposed to be a surprise. I'm so put out with that boy."

Ana giggled.

"I'm sorry." She said, once she recovered her composure. "It just sounds so funny when you refer to Severus as 'that boy'."

oOo

He came to bed late, but she waited up for him.

Pretending to be tired, he gave her a brief peck on the cheek and rolled over with his back to her.

"Don't think we aren't going to discuss this." Ana said crisply, poking him in the back with her finger.

"What?"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me. What happened today in the library?"

He sighed.

"Come on, tell me." She said, poking him a bit harder.

"She's making a christening dress for Nina." He looked at her suspiciously. "I suppose you knew about this all along, as thick as you two are."

"Severus, I didn't know about it. You spoiled the surprise." She sighed, rolling onto her back. "She was very upset that you saw it."

He was silent.

Ana sighed in frustration.

"What?" He said irritably, rolling over on his back.

"She was afraid you were angry with her. Frankly, I don't blame her." She snapped, sitting up in bed to glare down at him. "You need to stop being so horrible to her. She's not done anything for you to be angry about. She made our daughter a lovely gown to be christened in, because she loves us. All three of us, even you."

"It…it's difficult." Severus said softly, sighing. "I've been angry at her for so long, I…"

"Oh, please." Ana huffed, poking him in the chest. "You're upset with her for something that she had very little control over, namely, your father. Severus, he was a big man, and she's a petite woman! How did you expect her to do anything against him?"

"You've been talking to her." He said half-accusingly.

"Yes, and what of it?" She sighed. "Severus, she is still your mother, she still loves you. She loves Nina, and I'd like to think she likes me a lot too. I'm open and honest with her, and she is with me. I didn't ask her anything other than what a 'normal' daughter-in-law might ask her mother-in-law."

"Oh, Merlin…" He groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

Ana smirked, and then swung her leg over to straddle his hips, sliding her arms around his neck.

"She told me everything." She whispered in his ear, and then giggled evilly.

"Surely not." He said warily.

"Oh, I have so much dirt on you." She purred, snuggling up to him. "Like the time when you were four years old, playing in the yard, and went behind a tree to pee...and your back was to the road, with cars driving by."

"Oh, dear gods…"

"Your secrets are safe with me." She said, giving his earlobe a playful nip with her teeth. "You just have to obey me in everything from now on."

"Insufferable witch."

"You know it, Professor." She smirked. "Do you want to know what your loving wife desires as her first request of you?"

"I'm afraid to ask."

"I…want…you…" Ana said slowly, punctuating each few words with a gentle kiss, "…to go talk to your mother. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast. I want you…to be polite…to be nice to her…and forgive her. Because she deserves it. As do Nina, myself, and you. Give in, Severus. Don't hold on to your anger, let it go. Please? For Nina and I? For you?"

"Oh, alright." Severus sighed as she nibbled on his earlobe playfully. "You won't give up unless I do it."

"It's for the best, Severus." Ana said quietly. "You deserve peace and happiness, and so does she."

oOo

She flinched as he came into the library, a group of students on the way out flowing around him like water, all of them eyeing him warily. Few of the students were familiar with him from his old days as Potions Professor, but his reputation was well known, and had only been enhanced by his teaching methods in the DADA classes.

"Professor Snape…" She said nervously. "I was able to get a copy of that book you asked about, Lycanthropy in the Middle Ages-"

"That is not what I am here for today." He said quietly. "I believe we have a discussion that is best conducted in your office."

"I…I see." Madam Pince replied. She set a 'Back in 5 minutes' sign on the checkout desk, then walked to her office, Professor Snape behind her.

"So…what is this about, then?" She said, moving behind her desk, using it almost like a shield.

He closed the door behind him, and then turned to face her.

"I wish to apologize for my rude behavior the other day." He said, "I am sorry, Mother."

Irma stood behind her desk, holding tightly onto her chair with one hand, fearful she might fall down.

"I…" she swallowed nervously, tears welling in her eyes. "I accept your apology…my…son."

In three long strides, he crossed the floor, taking her into his arms as she sagged against him. Weeping openly now, Madam Pince leaned against Severus.

oOo

October 15, 1999~

And that was that, it seemed.

It's so much better than her having to walk around on eggshells, Ana thought as she watched them in the garden. Madam Pince-she still couldn't really get comfortable with calling her Irma, except in private-was pushing Nina in her pram, with Severus walking alongside.

"I never thought I'd see the day."

Ana turned away from the window to see the Headmistress beside her, gazing fondly down at the scene in the garden.

"Good afternoon, Headmistress." Ana smiled.

"How did you get them to talk to each other?" Minerva said, giving her a hug. "I've never seen them say more than a dozen words to each other in a term, and here they are, just talking up a storm down there."

"Well, I suspect that Nina has a bit to do with it." She shrugged. "Of course, I had to 'persuade' Severus a bit, too."

"I'm sure." Minerva said dryly, looking back down at the garden. Madam Pince had Nina out of the pram and was holding her so she could see the ducks swimming in the pond, Severus standing nearby.

"Headmistress…" Ana said, frowning, "Do you think that Madam Pince…well, will she ever be able to be Severus' mother again, 'officially'?"

"Not really, Ana." The Headmistress sighed. "'Officially', she is dead, according the Ministry. Kingsley Shacklebolt arranged the papers for her at Dumbledore's request. Eileen Snape 'died' when Severus was in his seventh year here at Hogwarts.

"Dreadful business, it was. Tobias had broken her arm, broken her cheekbone…"

Minerva glanced over at Ana with a troubled expression, weighing what she was about to say carefully.

"She killed him, you know. If she hadn't, he might have killed her that night."

"How?" Ana said, shocked by this revelation.

"She used an unforgivable." Minerva sighed, turning back to the window to look out across the garden. "She didn't have a wand, Tobias had broken it, but she cast it wandlessly. I suppose if you're in fear for your life, you can do anything."

"Anyway, Albus, Poppy, Hagrid, and I all went to Spinner's End that night when she flooed Poppy. We cleaned up the mess, got her out of there, did it discreetly. Albus convinced the Muggle police that it was a botched robbery, and that Tobias lived alone. Poppy nursed Eileen back to health in the Hospital wing."

Minerva sighed again, rubbing her eyes with one hand.

"It took a while for Severus to forgive us for that night, for not telling him what had happened. And then, once he knew the truth of it, he could not forgive…Eileen, either. By then, he had joined the Death Eaters, and Eileen could not accept that. There have been many cross words between them, Ana."

Ana said nothing, she merely nodded. She was watching her family in the garden, seeing her husband and mother-in-law with new eyes.

oOo

"Welcome." The tall, skinny man with the closely cropped black hair said, his eyes burning above his high cheekbones as he surveyed the crowd in the ruined castle. "I appreciate it that you have joined us in our cause. Many of you have journeyed quite far to be here tonight, at great personal risk, and that is noted."

"Earlier this year, the man who betrayed our Lord-"

A chorus of boos and catcalls threatened to overwhelm the speaker, and he held his hands up for quiet, waiting for the din to die off so he could be heard.

"Earlier this year, the man who betrayed our Lord, the traitorous double agent Severus Snape-"

Cries of pent up rage rose in the hall once more at the mention of the name, the speaker merely waiting for them to spend themselves.

"-married the notorious killer of our fathers and mothers, wives and husbands, the merciless Ana Romanov, the Butcher of Beauxbartons-"

The crowd hissed disapproval, pounding on the rickety tables and chairs in the hall. A rather obese wizard's chair broke, causing a bit of laughter to roll about the room.

"Now, I know that many of you want revenge, and soon." Antonin Dolohov continued, holding up his hands to quell yet another round of shouting.

"We must have patience, however." He said, raising his hands once more when cries of disbelief began to mount.

"We've been patient!" A solid looking blond witch hissed loudly, "Snape needs to pay!"

"And he will, Eaon, he will!" Dolohov said sharply. "We need to prepare, to make everything ready, and to build a trap he cannot escape from. Careful planning and meticulous preparation will ensure our success.

"Soon will be Halloween, a day that has been celebrated for centuries. For us, some celebrations have been bitter, some sweet. One year from this coming Halloween, we will celebrate a truly glorious holiday. We will prepare, we will wait until he is convinced that he and his 'family' are safe…and then we will destroy his life, as he destroyed ours.

"Snape will be rendered helpless, and we will force him to watch as we take what he holds most dear, what he loves most…and then we will kill him."

The crowd leaped to their feet almost as one, cheering wildly.

oOo

Author's notes-

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Chapter 20~

December 18, 1999~

"Severus, she'll be fine." Ana sighed in exasperation, buttoning up her traveling cloak and adjusting her gloves. "Come on."

"Just a moment." He said, cracking open the door to the nursery to peek in again, the second time in the past ten minutes.

"She'll be fine, darling. Your mum is staying here with her until we get back from the dinner, she's in good hands. Stop worrying so much and come on, will you? We're going to be late if we don't hurry."

The door to the nursery opened, and Madam Pince walked out, closing it gently behind her.

"Severus," She whispered sternly, "Nina's finally asleep. Now take your beautiful bride and go to the dinner! I will send my patronus right away if we need you, but I'm perfectly capable of taking care of her. Now, go."

"I suppose." Severus grumbled.

"You look lovely, Ana." Madam Pince whispered, patting her on the shoulder.

"Thank you." Ana smiled, taking Severus by the arm. "Everything that you need should be in the nursery, except for her bottles in the fridge. Our house elf will help you."

"Come on, you sourpuss." Ana said to Severus with a smirk, tugging on his arm. "We don't want to be late."

oOo

Madam Pince was sitting on the couch when the first one floated by. She blinked, thinking, I'm seeing things.

Then two more of the shiny gilt stars drifted slowly past her. With a sigh of exasperation, she marked her place in her book and set it down.

"Merlin, she's starting earlier than Severus did." She muttered to herself under her breath, heading for the nursery. Pushing the door open, she walked over to the crib to peer down at her granddaughter. Nina cooed at her grandmother, waving her tiny hands. Another star detached itself from the mobile above her crib and floated upward.

"You are being very, very naughty." Madam Pince said softly, a broad smile on her face. "Grandma's going to have to find all those stars and put your mobile back together before mum and dad get home, sweetie."

Picking her up, she sniffed.

"Oh, Merlin." She sighed. "It smells like you made your grandma a little present, too."

Crossing the room to the changing table, she changed Nina's diaper with confident hands, vanishing the dirty diaper and putting a clean nightgown on her. She was on her way to the kitchenette for a bottle when the patronus materialized in the hallway.

oOo

"Now for our last guest lecturer for this evening, the Honorable Markus Slyzanany, Potions Master at Chrastava." Beaming, the announcer waved a short, squat wizard with an unruly mop of blonde hair to the podium.

"Oh, dear gods." Sighed Ana in disgust, toying with her coffee cup, having finished only half of the rich chocolate cake served for dessert.

"Indeed." Severus nodded. "Do you want the rest of that?"

"No." She said, shaking her head and pushing the plate over to him. "Severus, if he starts in on that business with the valerian root again, I'm going start heckling him."

"No, you won't. You're too well mannered."

"You just watch. For years, I've had to endure him, first as a guest lecturer when I was a student at Durmstang, then lectures for the Potions Society in Paris while I was doing my graduate work, now this. I've had it with that pompous windbag."

"Behave yourself, dear." He sighed, forking another chunk of chocolate cake and consuming it with relish. "This cake is delicious."

"Isn't it?" She smiled. "I fear it's a bit rich for me. I do believe I could set the hem of his robe on fire from here."

"You really don't like him, do you?"

"He came to our Advanced Potions class at Durmstang as a guest lecturer and talked for three hours about how to collect Alihotsy leaves! Really, it's not that big a deal. All you have to do is wear a good pair of dragonhide gloves and you're safe from the resin!"

Severus nodded, scraping up the last bit of chocolate and scooping it into his mouth. Ana fidgeted in her seat, mouth pursed in irritation as Slyzanany droned on, expounding on the benefits of using Leaping Toadstool extract in the making of Limbering Solution.

"Professor Romanov-Snape, you look as if you're about to burst."

"I can't help it, Severus! He just grates on my nerves so-" She hissed, shooting him a glare. "Oh! There it is! Did you hear him? He mentioned that old wives' tale about the silver knife and the valerian roots! I swear, I'm going to hex him-"

"Ana, please. He'll be finished soon." He sighed, pushing the empty plate away and taking a sip of his coffee. "The Society is very strict about time limits on speakers."

"Half the wizards and witches here have slipped out, in case you haven't noticed. The man is an idiot."

"I take it you wish to slip out, then?"

"Please. Or I might do something naughty."

"Do I need to spank you?"

Ana stuck her tongue out at him defiantly.

"Brat." He smirked.

"Git." She shot back. "I'm not scared of you. I dare you to try to spank me later."

"Careful, you may get what you ask for." He smirked.

Ana sat, drumming her fingers idly on the table, her nerves screaming under the drone of Slyzanany's voice.

"Severus, do you love me?" She sighed a few minutes later.

"You know I love you, darling."

"Then please take me away from this, I beg of you. Listening to him is causing my brain to commit suicide, one by one."

With a chuckle, Severus stood, taking Ana by the hand and leading her out to the cloakroom in the hall.

As they walked out, headed to the apparition point, a light snow had begun to fall, delicate tiny flakes that floated on a light breeze. As they walked along the sidewalk, Ana held Severus' arm, smiling contentedly as the flakes lazily drifted around them.

As they turned the corner, Severus had turned his head toward Ana to ask if she wanted to stop somewhere before they apparated back to Hogwarts. She laughed, shaking her head, and then looked around as her peripheral vision caught movement.

Ana's eyes grew wide in horror as she spotted the upraised wand, just before the curse erupted from it, blinding her with red light. Her breath rushed from her lungs as Severus spun and tackled her, knocking her out of the way.

"Avada kedavra!" She heard some man shout, just before everything went black.

oOo

Indistinct voices. Pain.

Wincing, she slowly opened her eyes. White ceiling, beige walls, the smell of antiseptic.

Head hurts, but not nearly as bad as my ribs on the left side, Ana thought, sucking in a breath painfully. Oh, Merlin…definitely cracked some ribs. I need to remember not to breathe on that side.

"Severus?" She managed to croak out, her voice rough and nearly inaudible.

"Oh, you're awake." A young medi-witch said brightly, leaning over her in the bed.

"My husband…the tall man with black hair…where?" Ana said, beginning to panic.

"You need to rest, Mrs. Snape." The young medi-witch said, gently putting a hand on Ana's shoulder to keep her from getting up. "You have a concussion, as well as a few broken ribs. Your husband is in surgery right now, but his injuries aren't that bad. We expect he'll make a full recovery."

"I see. May I have my wand?" Ana sighed. "I need to let our babysitter know that we will be delayed."

"Oh, of course." The medi-witch said, retrieving Ana's wand from the nightstand drawer and handing it to her. Ana closed her eyes, thinking for a moment.

"Expecto Patronum." Ana said softly. A white Siberian tiger materialized, shimmering in the hospital room. The medi-witch gave a gasp of surprise, backing away from it.

"Madam Pince," Ana said to the patronus, "Severus and I will be delayed getting home. We were attacked, but we're alright. Tell the Headmistress."

With a lunge, the patronus leaped through the wall to go deliver its message.

Ana looked over at the medi-witch with a slight smirk.

"Haven't you ever seen a patronus before?" She said, sliding her wand into the sleeve of her gown.

"Um…yes, but not one like that." The young woman said, her hand still on her chest. "Whew. That was something else. You…you're Ana Romanov, aren't you?"

"I am." Ana said quietly, her hand still on her wand, her eyes wary.

"I…I never dreamed that I might meet you again someday." The medi-witch said, producing a hanky and dabbing at her eyes.

"Do I know you?"

"I don't think so, Professor." The girl said, shaking her head. "I don't think I had you for any of my classes. I'm Sarah Williams…my maiden name was Michon."

Ana's wand fell from fingers that seemed to have no strength at all as she gaped at the young woman.

Sarah Michon…

"Are you alright, Dr. Romanov-Snape?" The medi-witch said, stooping to pick up her wand and put it on the bed next to her hand. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Ana blinked, then swallowed.

"I…I thought…the fire…"

"You saved us, Professor." She said, twisting her hanky nervously. "You destroyed the door. There was just enough space for…for most of us to get out before the roof of the dormitory collapsed."

Ana lay in the bed, stunned.

"We…I saw you as the healers were taking you to hospital." Sarah said, taking Ana's hand in hers, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I've wondered for years if you might have survived. Your arm…"

With a blush, Sarah looked away, biting off the rest of what she might have said.

A long moment passed between them.

"I…I'm sorry about your arm, Professor." Sarah said awkwardly, unable to meet Ana's eyes. "I just…I just wanted you to know how grateful I feel to you. You saved our lives that night. It's an honor to be able to take care of you."

"It's alright, Sarah." Ana said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm fine. Thank you for telling me what happened…I didn't know that you made it out."

Ana sniffed, letting go of Sarah's hand to wipe her own tears away.

"Sarah, could you do a favor for me?"

"Anything, Professor."

"Just make sure that Severus gets this message when he wakes up after surgery." Ana said, sniffing again. "Please tell him that I love him, and that I'm fine. Make sure he knows that I'm not hurt very badly, because I know he'll worry."

"Of course, Professor."

oOo

Madam Pince stood frozen in the hallway, clutching Nina protectively, as the glowing Siberian tiger padded down the hallway toward her. Nina gurgled happily, reaching out with her tiny hand toward the patronus.

"Madam Pince," Ana's voice said, "Severus and I will be delayed getting home. We were attacked, but we're alright. Tell the Headmistress."

Oh, no. Merlin, what could have happened? Madam Pince wondered as the patronus dissipated. Swiftly, she walked to the sitting room, Nina balanced on her hip. When she reached the fireplace, she grabbed a handful of floo powder and tossed it into the flames.

"Minerva! Minerva, are you there?" She said sharply.

After a moment, the Headmistress' face appeared.

"Irma! Why, it's nearly eleven!" Minerva said, stifling a yawn. "What's wrong?"

"I just got a patronus from Ana." Madam Pince said, sending several of the stars from the mobile to floating around above Nina to amuse her with a flick of her hand. "She and Severus were attacked in London. I don't have any details, but she said they were alright and that they would be delayed getting home."

"I see." Minerva said crisply, her face vanishing from the flames. "I'm getting dressed, Irma. Do you need someone to help you with Nina?"

"No, we're fine. She just woke up; I'm going to give her a bottle."

"Alright. I'm going to call Harry Potter and have him meet me at the hospital. I'll send my patronus when I have any news."

"Thank you, Minerva." Madam Pince said, watching the green flames turn back to normal.

oOo

Minerva McGonagall apparated with a crack right in front of the hospital, scaring several people half out of their wits.

"Headmistress! Over here!" Harry Potter said, waving his hand as he walked toward her, his Auror coat damp with snow.

"Harry! What on earth happened tonight?" The Headmistress snapped, walking over to him carefully.

"No idea, Minerva." Harry said, pushing up his glasses. "Eyewitnesses said that the woman just pulled a wand and attacked them. Severus killed her, clearly self-defence."

"Are they alright?" She asked as they walked into the hospital past the welcome witch, Harry nodding to a gray-haired Auror as they walked by.

"Ana is awake. She has some cracked ribs and a mild concussion, evidently from hitting the sidewalk when Severus shoved her out of the line of fire."

"No surprise there." Minerva sighed, "What about him? How badly was he hurt?"

"He's in the Intensive Care Unit, just got out of surgery." Harry said, pushing the button to call the elevator. "The attacker used Sectumsempra on him, and some of the cuts were rather deep. Undoubtedly, she had a few free shots while he was protecting Ana."

"Oh, dear."

The elevator doors opened with a faint chime, and they stepped into it. Harry pushed the button for the third floor.

"Is he awake yet?" Minerva asked.

"No, not yet. They said it would probably be…" Harry looked at his watch with a frown. "By my reckoning, he should be awake sometime in the next forty minutes or so."

"Well, let's go talk to Ana, then."

"Right. How is Nina, who's keeping her?"

Minerva sighed and mashed the 'Stop' button on the elevator, bringing it to a halt.

"Harry, this is not for public knowledge. Not even Ginny, mind you."

"I…alright, Headmistress." Harry said, eyes wide in surprise. "What is it?"

"Nina is with her grandmother." Minerva said crisply.

"Her grandmother? But Ana's stepmother…"

"No, Harry. Her other grandmother. Madam Pince is Severus' mother."

Harry's jaw dropped, his eyes widening even more.

"You're joshing me."

"No. Eileen Snape 'died' when Severus was seventeen. A few years after that, Madam Irma Pince became the librarian at Hogwarts. Remember your Potions book, the one that was the 'Property of the Half-Blood Prince?"

Harry frowned, deep in thought.

"Irma Pince…" His face lit up with sudden realization. "Irma Pince…I'm a Prince…Oh, Merlin…an anagram."

Minerva disengaged the 'Stop' button, causing the elevator to begin moving again.

"Harry, you must never reveal this." She said, taking his arm. "Especially now. We don't know who is behind this attack, but it's best we not reveal Madam Pince's true identity. It could put her in danger again, as well as Severus and Ana, and little Nina."

Harry nodded.

"I won't say anything to anyone, Headmistress. I swear it."

As they walked into Ana's hospital room, a young medi-witch got up from a chair that she'd been sitting in next to the bed.

"Professor, I need to get back to work," Sarah said, giving Ana's hand a gentle squeeze. "Looks like you have some company."

"Hello, Minerva, Harry." Ana said. "Come back anytime, Sarah."

The medi-witch nodded to them as she went out.

"Hello, Ana." Minerva said, "How are you feeling?"

"Have you seen Severus yet?" She asked anxiously, paying no mind to the question.

"Professor, I checked on him just before the Headmistress got here." Harry said. "He's out of surgery, everything went well. They're just waiting for him to wake up."

"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Ana sighed.

"Please, Professor, call me Harry." He grinned. "Everyone else does."

"You're Ginny's boyfriend, aren't you?"

Harry blushed.

"Um…yes. We're dating."

"I suspected as much." Ana smirked. She enjoyed teasing this young man. "I do ask that you not keep my valuable research assistant out too late on the weekends. We almost have the arithmancy worked out for the improvements for the Protego charm, so I need her to be sharp."

"Professor, I-"

"Harry, I think that Professor Romanov-Snape is joking with you." Minerva said with a chuckle, poking him in the arm.

"It's difficult to tell sometimes, Headmistress." Harry sighed, and then looked at Ana a bit more sharply. "Professor, have you remembered anything else about the attack that I need to add to the report?"

"Not really, Harry." Ana said. I didn't know the woman who attacked us, but she screamed something at Severus, so I'm guessing that he knew her."

"Her name was Eaon Cadwell. We were able to identify her, from what was left. Minor wizarding family, a minor player in the last war, a former Death Eater."

"I don't know if she was a 'former' Death Eater, Harry." Minerva interjected. "I seem to recall that she went on the run, was never captured. I remember her from her time here at Hogwarts, a rather unpleasant girl."

"Do you think this is an isolated attack, Harry?" Ana asked. "After the death of the Dark Lord and all the Death Eaters lost or imprisoned, one would think they wouldn't be strong enough to do much."

"Honestly, we don't know, Professor." Harry sighed, frustration showing in his voice. "This is probably the first attack we've had in months."

"And the second attack on Severus." Ana said sharply. "Remember, the Carrows kidnapped him."

"Um, yes. That too."

"Do you think they're focusing on him?" Minerva asked Harry.

"Could be. Merlin knows, he's done quite enough to earn their enmity."

Harry sighed, took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. Putting them back on, he looked at Ana.

"Professor, I'll speak with my supervisor about this. They really aren't treating this very seriously, but I'll see what I can do to convince them to put more effort into it. In the meanwhile, you and Professor Snape should stay on your guard, especially outside Hogwarts."

"Thank you, Harry." Ana said with a sigh. "Though I hope we've heard the last of it."

oOo

After her shift, Sarah Michon-Williams walked to the apparition point to go home, pulling out her cell as she walked. Dialing a number in her contacts list, she leaned against a building while she waited for the call to go through.

"Hello?"

"Gerry. This is Sarah."

"Sarah…it's nearly…gods, it isn't even daylight yet!"

"Never mind that. Guess who I talked to tonight?"

"Who?" Sighed the man on the other end of the connection.

"Ana Romanov."

"You're pulling my leg. I swear, if this is some kind of joke-"

"It's no joke. She held my hand and everything. She's in the hospital."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

"No shit." The voice had gone from anger to shock.

"Yep. Call the others; call everyone you can get ahold of. We have to do it before they release her, and that will probably be soon. My guess is that we might have three days, tops."

"Merlin, do you think we can handle this? I mean, this will come as a shock to a lot of them. They thought she was dead."

"Well, those who can come, fine. Those who can't, it's no big deal. I'm sure there will be more than enough of us to handle it."

"Okay, I'll get up and start calling them. Keep me posted on how soon they might release her. I figure I'd better tell everyone that we're doing it in two days, just to be safe."

"Right. Talk to you later today, after I get up."

"Okay, sleep well. Man, I'm so excited! I've been dreaming of this for years, I know you have too."

"Yeah, I'm been waiting a long time for this. She's finally going to get what she deserves. Talk to you later."

"Bye."

She folded the cell and slipped in back into her pocket, heading home.