Disclaimer: Except for some OCs, the characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling. This chapter takes place within the time line of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Warning: This contains what might be considered spoilers to The Tales of Beedle the Bard.
Emily went to work as school and the war continued. Severus fretted over Potter's inability to close his mind to Voldemort as Emily fretted over the fears she had for her family and friends. In sharing their worries and comforting each other, they found they could bear what must be borne. They fretted together over Hogwarts as Dolores Umbridge gained favor with the Ministry and received constant increases to her authority.
After Educational Decree Twenty-Six was promulgated, the Snapes realized it would become increasingly difficult to train Hope in defensive techniques as they had been doing. They were not surprised to see the High Inquisitor in the doorway of Severus's classroom one weekend, shaking her head as Severus and Hope exchanged jinxes.
"Hem, hem, this doesn't appear to be Potions, Professor, what can you be teaching this student?"
Emily jumped up, and taking Umbridge by the elbow, guided her into the hallway. "Oh, Dolores, I hope you don't mind that we're sharing a little family time!" she simpered. "We were reading "Babbity Rabbity and her Cackling Stump" to Brendon and then Severus just had to act it out! You don't know what a doting Daddy he is!"
Dolores wasn't convinced. "That looked like jinxes and hexes, Healer Snape."
"Surely you recall the scene where Babbity and the fake magician were trying to hex each other? It's all very innocent, I assure you. Shall we have tea while they finish?"
"I prefer the Toadstool Tales. They're so much less violent and the Muggles are in their proper place..." Dolores looked unsure but she was bowled over by Emily's charm. Before she knew it, she was enjoying tea and biscuits in the Snape sitting room until the clock on the wall reminded her that it was past time to check in on one of the student groups she had planned to inspect today. She leaped up and left, wondering just how she had been derailed and how it had started, anyway.
Severus and Hope must have been watching for her in the hallway, because they came in soon, Brendon in tow. Emily was fixing herself another cup. "How did you do that, Mum?"
"There's a charm Healers use to calm difficult patients," answered the girl's father. "Emily, you didn't..."
The wife and mother just smiled secretly as she blew into her tea cup to cool it. In the past month she had worked a couple of shifts a week at St. Mungo's and spent the same time discussing the worries of each day honestly with her husband. Emily was back to herself.
Dear Hope,
I'm doing well in that extra class I've been working on. Our practice together over the holidays helped. Now that those people are at large, I feel this sense of purpose, as if I have to make up for what happened to my parents. Somehow, if I work hard enough, I'll be able to do something. So far, we've kept from being observed. I guess the finks have decided to shut up.
What do you make of Trelawney being sacked? Why would Dumbledore insist on keeping her on school grounds? Everyone in the common room says it doesn't surprise them, with a few saying it's high time. Why not just send her away?
Of course, I'm not doing as well in Potions. Can you help me with this week's essay? At least I only have to do the one everyone has to do, this time.
Sincerely,
Lucky
Dear Lucky,
From what I hear amongst people in another group that's been formed, they still are trying to infiltrate your group. Keep your head down, and don't say anything if you can avoid it. They are quite talkative, assuming total loyalty in the common room, and say it's just a matter of time before they get someone to talk.
Daddy got a funny look in his face when Trelawney was sacked and Dumbledore made sure she could stay on school grounds. If I saw that look on anyone else, I would say that he had suddenly figured something out. I think Dumbledore was just protecting the innocent. She's truly a fraud, but she's our fraud and deserves our loyalty.
The Potions IS a bit complicated this week. Hardly anyone understood what he was saying, even that one house mate of yours. Let me see if I can explain it without confusing myself...
Sincerely,
Hope
"It's just not working out." Severus stormed into the family sitting room and threw himself into his favorite chair.
Emily walked over to her husband and massaged at the knots in his neck. "Are you sure?"
"The boy is incapable of Occlumency. He may be a natural Legilimens, poking into my mind to see my own parents, but he's no Occlumens. And now that sneaking boy has gone too far. When I was taking care of one of my students, he went into the Pensieve and saw my worst memories. He saw that day at the end of O.W.L.s. Fortunately he didn't see the argument I had with Lily afterwards, by the portrait hole..."
"Would it be so awful if he had?"
"He would know everything; I can't allow him to have that. He would use it against me, I know. His father would."
"Would his mother?" Emily asked and then didn't care. She thought to herself that in a way, Lily had somehow used Severus's feelings for her for her own benefit and to his detriment every day of their acquaintance.
"Maybe not, but I can't take the chance. I'm just not doing it again. We've been trying for weeks and have gotten nowhere."
"What will you tell Dumbledore?"
"When I see him again, I will tell him what I have told you. The boy is simply not making any progress."
"Is this important enough to pass through that special channel?"
"I don't think so...I hope not." He shifted position so that she could rub further down his back.
Dear Hope,
I wish I could study everything with you for O.W.L.s. Can you think of a way to manage it?
I had career advice, today. I should be able to pursue Herbology research and teaching as long as I don't fail my Potions O.W.L.
Do you know anything about where Dumbledore went?
Sincerely,
Lucky
Dear Lucky,
I think it's just about possible, although it may be spotty in the areas you need. Follow my house mate and me after dinner when we go to the Library. I'll grab a table with another one close by. You sit at the other table and keep your head down. That way you can listen in as we discuss things.
I had career advice, too, such as it was, with my House Head. I'm pretty sure I want to be a Healer, like Mum, but I find myself drawn to the Aurors. My Head says that with the courses I've been taking and the grades I'm likely to get, I should be able to wait and make a final choice later.
I have no idea where Dumbledore is or what exactly happened. I understand that there are people who know how to contact him in a true emergency, but that's pretty unlikely to happen.
Sincerely,
Hope
A/N: That's likely to be as lighthearted as it gets for a while. Canon events intervene.
Thank you reviewers, angstycryingbaby47, debjunk, excessivelyperky, Istani, and williammoseleysgirl. A special thanks to Mark Darcy who is a great beta reader.