Chapter 18: True Identity

January 9th, 2013 was my fifty-third birthday. My day started out bad. The first thing I did when I woke up was look in the mirror. As I was brushing my hair, I found my first gray hair. At first I was devastated, but then I realized I should be thankful that I hadn't started graying in my thirties or earlier as some people do.

On Saturday the 12th, Jason once again insisted we go out for my birthday. I was more willing to go this time, because he was, after all, my boyfriend, and I knew he wanted to spend some romantic time with me. In truth, I wanted to spend romantic time with him as well.

We started in Madam Puddifoot's tea shop, a typical date for us. After lunch, we walked around the village until we were ready to leave. When we got back to the castle, Jason convinced me to take a short detour towards Hagrid's hut and the forbidden forest.

We found Hagrid standing outside with his dog, another boarhound named Talon, and a hippogriff.

"Hello," Hagrid called. "Would you like to say hello to the Hippogriff?"

Jason and I said we would, so Hagrid told us how to properly greet a hippogriff. We bowed to the hippogriff, and he bowed back.

"What's his name?" I asked Hagrid as I stroked the hippogriff's neck.

"Grayfeathers, after 'is coloring." Hagrid answered proudly. "Buckbeak's 'is father. He's a real gentle one, that Grayfeathers is. Do you want to ride 'im?"

Jason looked at me. "Luci?"

I smiled. "I don't see why not."

Hagrid beamed. Excitedly, he gently helped me on to Grayfeather's back and helped Jason climb on behind me. "Now, just make sure you get 'im back home before dinner. He'll get real cranky if 'is dinner isn't served on time." Hagrid said, and we took off.

I had never rode on the back of a hippogriff before, so of course, I was a little frightened. But Jason was amazing at controlling Grayfeathers, so after a while, I felt safe enough to enjoy the incredible view. After about ten minutes of flying, we landed next to a frozen stream to rest.

"It's so beautiful here." I whispered.

"Not as beautiful as you, my dear." Jason replied, and kissed me. I kissed him back with no hesitation whatsoever. When we broke away, Jason asked, "Do you want to go for a walk?"

I nodded, and we set off through the snow covered woods. Everything was so beautiful, with all the pine trees covered in a blanket of white, and more snow was falling.

"Luci?" Jason asked, breaking the silence.

I looked at him and smiled "Yes, Jay?"

"Did you ever think you'd fall in love?"

I hesitated for a moment, trying to think of the perfect answer. "Well, considering all of the dreadful boyfriend I had when I was young, I would have said 'no'. But, now that I know you, I would definitely say 'yes'. What about you?"

Jason stopped and smiled at me. "When I went to Hogwarts, I told myself that I, as a Gryffindor, could never fall in love with a Slytherin, but here we are now. I guess I've proved myself wrong. You know that I love you with all of my heart, don't you Luci?"

"Of course, Jay…" I said.

Jason breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear." He laughed weakly. "We've come a long way since we first met, haven't we?"

"Yes..." I said slowly, not quite sure where this was going.

"We started out as barely knowing each other and went to being madly in love. But I've realized I'm no longer happy with being your boyfriend. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know we already are in a way, as we both are professors at Hogwarts, but I want something more."

Jason paused and reached into his jacket pocket. Suddenly realizing what was happened, I held my breath and blinked a few times to prevent the tears that were threatening to pour out of my eyes from flowing. When Jason's hand came out of his pocket he was holding a small box made out of black velvet. Even though there was snow on the ground, Jason got down on one knee. He took a deep breath and said, "Lucianna Pasen, will you marry me?"

I couldn't keep the tears in any longer. I fell to my knees and began to cry into Jason's shoulder.

"Shh… Please don't cry. I-I'm sorry." Jason soothed, rubbing my back as he cradled me in his arms.

I unbury my head from Jason's shoulder and gazed into his dazzling blue eyes. "Don't be sorry. Of course, I'll marry you." I whispered.

"Wh-what?" Jason stammered, confused.

"I'm not crying because I'm sad or disappointed." I exclaimed. "I'm crying because I'm overjoyed. I know it's strange, but -"

Jason interrupted me by kissing me passionately on the lips. "I love you so much." He whispered.

"I love you too." I said. "Now, are you going to put the ring on my finger so everyone can see that I'm engaged to the handsomest, bravest, most romantic man alive, or not?"

Jason laughed. "I almost forgot about that." He said and slipped the ring on my finger. It was a gorgeous, silver ring with a deep red garnet, my birthstone, in the center.

"It's beautiful." I gasped.

Jason smiled. "I thought you might like it." he said and pulled me to my feet. We laughed when we saw our knees were soaking wet.

As we were walking back to where we had left Grayfeathers, I realized there was something I needed to tell Jason, something I should have told him long ago.

"Jason, you still have that boggart in your classroom from the third year lessons, don't you?"

"Yes…why? Please tell me you didn't lie about your boggart too. That's how our only real fight started, remember."

I laughed nervously. "Well, I didn't exactly lie. I just didn't tell you the whole truth."

"What do you mean?" Jason asked, puzzled.

"I didn't tell you who my brother was." I explained.

"Oh… I see." Jason said slowly. "Is he someone I should have heard of?"

"Yes." I said softly.

"Hmm…. Well, then we better get back to Hogwarts then so I can find out." Jason replied.

I laughed. We boarded Grayfeathers again, and flew back to Hogwarts. We returned Grayfeathers to Hagrid, and then went to Jason's room to show him the boggart.

"Are you ready, Luci?" Jason asked, preparing to open the boggart's cabinet.

I sighed. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Jason opened the cabinet, and my brother came out of it. The same scenes occurred as they did during the Professors' tournament many years ago, both the scene where my brother was hurt emotionally and the scene with the snake appeared as well.

"Reddikulus!" I screamed, and my brother was dressed as a cowboy and was swinging the snake, which was now tied in a loop, above his head like a cowboy trying to lasso a runaway bull.

After the boggart was shut up in its closet, I noticed Jason was staring at me with wide eyes.

"Was that-" Jason began in disbelief.

"Yes," I interrupted him. "It was. I have a confession to make. My name is not Lucianna Pasen. It's Lucianna Snape."

Author's note: Cliffhanger! So sorry! (Not, I've been planning that part for weeks now and was really excited for it. :) ) Congrats to anyone who predicted this, if anyone did, and I can't wait to see people's reactions. :) Next chapter will be posted soon. Possibly tomorrow? If we're lucky. :) Adios Amigos!