As promised, the next one is here, but the 3rd one may be late, due to Mock exams slapping me in the face and performing a lobotomy upon my cranium. This is, yes, a soulmate! fic, because I had to do one eventually, so I might as well get it out of the way. Anyway here it is, so enjoy!

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No one knew what to expect of the teacher's soulmates.

True, it was common knowledge that everyone had their soulmate's handwriting on their skin somewhere, the most common being the wrist or the arm, but the students of Hogwarts never pictured their teachers in a romantic setting, let alone having soulmates. Of course, it was always there, but they never paid much attention to the marks, apart from a cursory glance.

Professor Sinistra had sloping cursive on her neck, trailing up behind her ear, written in a language none of them knew. Professor Vector was rumoured to have one on her ankle, as seen by the Ravenclaw female prefect who was her star student. Professor Babbling always had a few letters peeking out from underneath the collar of his teaching robes, and Professor Burbage had delicate script across the back of her hand. Professor's Snape, McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, Dumbledore and Madame Pomfrey always kept theirs covered up. No one really cared about Trelawney.

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So, when Dumbledore announced a week before Valentine's Day that all soulmates were coming to Hogwarts to be with their loved ones, the school erupted into chaos. Letters were sent, planning went underway (with Gilderoy Lockhart at the centre of it all, it was his idea), and the majority of the teachers walked around with a scowl, muttering things under their breath about the death of Gilderoy Lockhart.

Snape and McGonagall seemed particularly mad, with McGonagall docking points within her classroom at the mere mention of Valentine's Day, and Snape giving detentions if the world soulmate was even breathed.

Harry Potter observed all of these things, even as his own soulmark faded and flared at random intervals, although his scar wasn't hurting, and he avoided Professor Lockhart like the plague, and hung out with Neville and his soulmate Luna, as well as Hermione (who was avoiding Ron, who had been claiming that Hermione was his soulmate, although he'd never said the words that circled her calf).

When the day of February 14th dawned, Harry went for his usual morning run before his dorm mates woke up, hoping to avoid the argument with Ron that always seemed to happen. He passed the giggling portraits, and grimaced at the sight of all the pink and white streamers that littered the halls, and made his way out to the forest to run the centaur paths. They allowed him to run the paths, much to his surprise, although he figured that it was because he was merely a "foal", and not an adult. His run was slower than usual; prolonging the inevitable madness that was sure to be Valentine's Day, and a deep set reluctance to return to the castle. He was passing the large clearing where the Thestrals usually grazed (Luna had shown him), when he heard the low baritone of his Potions Professor.

Stopping, and making his way quietly to the clearing, he peered around a tree, spotting his Professor instantly. The tall man was sitting down, leaning against a Thestral, who was enjoying the dark wizard's fingers running through its mane.

"…completely ridiculous. What about the people who have lost their soulmates? Minerva isn't over Calum, and Poppy still mourns Doc Pomfrey. Irma lost hers in an accident recently, and Filch has never met his. Just because that stupid moron who almost blew himself up in second year with his own wand hasn't met his soulmate yet, doesn't mean that the rest of us haven't."

There was silence.

"I'm sorry, you probably don't what to hear all this. I'll leave you to your breakfast, then, Gwyn. Hopefully I won't be back to rant some more within the next four hours."

The Thestral nickered, and lipped at Snape's sleeve. Snape shook his head.

"No, I don't think she'll come; she's in hospital. She does get discharged in three days, so I'm leaving early on a Friday night. She had a relapse three months ago."

The Thestral snorted, and Snape's face broke out into a small grin.

"Yeah, I know. I'm giving her flowers when she comes home. She hates seeing flowers in hospitals; she told me off last time for thinking that she was going to die. Listen, I'll be back at sundown with some meat, yea? Thanks for listening."

The Thestral nudged him, and shook its mane. Snape smirked, and then started towards the path. Harry stepped backwards, and a twig snapped under his feet. Snape stiffened, and spun around, his black eyes meeting Harry's green, before he relaxed, and moved towards him.

"Mr Potter." His tone was weary, but not unwelcoming. Harry steeped out from behind the bush he had hidden behind, and flushed.

"Hello, Professor,' he whispered, 'I'm sorry for hiding and overhearing your…conversation."

Professor Snape sighed.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Potter. I'm merely relieved that you weren't Skeeter. How much did you hear?"

Harry scuffed his toe on the ground, and found the leaf on the branch next to him very interesting. He looked up.

"Did Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey really lose their soulmates? And Auntie Irma as well?" He whispered, voice sad.

Professor Snape stiffened, but nodded, placing a hand on his shoulder and leading Harry back to Hogwarts.

"Calum McGonagall was killed after successfully smuggling hundreds of muggleborns out of Britain during the first war with the Dark Lord. Doctor Pomfrey was hit with the Killing Curse as he tried to save Lord Greengrass during an attack on the Wizengamot, also during the first war. Gareth Pince was in a car accident last summer. Collision with a truck."

Harry nodded, silent, knowing how bad car accidents could be.

"Just don't mention this to anyone, Mr Potter. It may have been many years ago, but it still hurts."

There was something in Professor Snape's voice that was raw, and aching, and Harry knew, in that instant, that Professor Snape had lost someone very close to him.

"Yes, sir."

The remainder of the walk was spent in comfortable silence, neither saying anything, neither needing to.

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The hall was even worse at breakfast, when all the students and their soulmates were together, exchanging roses and cards, and chocolate. Professor Lockhart was at the centre of it all, handing out pre-written cards with his signature on them, and congratulating couples. The teachers table had been replaced with a table much like the House tables, but with a rainbow coloured banner which completely screamed "Dumbledore".

Professor's Vector and Sinistra sat close together, while Babbling sat next to a fae-like woman with light blue hair. McGonagall, Pomfrey, Trelawney and Pince sat in a huddle, offering comfort, but providing no opportunity for Lockhart to come over. Filch and Binns were nowhere in sight. Dumbledore sat on his throne at the head of the Teacher's table, benign and benevolently looking over the proceedings like some sort of dictator. Professor Snape sat at the very end, in a very animated discussion with Flitwick and his soulmate; a fair-haired goblin maiden who wore armour of silver with golden designs etched into it. Finally, after much ogling at the teachers respective soulmates (they finally realized that Sinistra and Vector were soulmates, after much discussion and debate), Dumbledore stood, and tapped his spoon against his goblet.

"Welcome, to soulmates, students and teachers. May your Valentine's Day be happy and filled with love; the greatest power of all. We…'

A knock at the now closed doors sounded, interrupting Dumbledore, who paused, and made a grand, sweeping gesture towards them.

"Enter!" he called. The doors swung open, and a figure entered hesitantly, a mere silhouette against the clear morning sky.

A short, ethereal woman stood there, her mahogany curls haloing her face and contrasting against her pale skin, a fiery waterfall in the early morning light. She was dressed in loose, comfortable clothes; the dark green jersey looking a few sizes too big with 'Slytherin Quidditch Captain, 1992-1997' on the right side, embroidered in white. It hung off her frame, ending mid-thigh, and it only served to give the appearance of fragility and delicateness. Her slender legs were clad in dark grey leggings, and dragonhide boots covered her calves.

Professor Snape manoeuvred his way out of the long bench he was sitting on, apologising to Vector for accidentally kicking her on his way out, before turning to face the woman, eyes fixed on her. The woman's mouth quirked up into a fond smile, before she spoke.

"It's rude to stare, you know."

There were mutters and glares shot in Professor Snape's direction, but he merely smirked at her.

"I wasn't staring, I was admiring. There is a difference."

There was shocked silence, as the words processed in the minds of all present. Snape's voice had subtlety changed, a slight Yorkshire burr creeping onto his voice, and his eyes held a light that had been missing.

The woman smiled at him fully, and Snape…smiled back; a crooked quirk of his lips. She bounced towards him, oblivious of the shock, horror (how did someone that hot end up bound to Snape?) and calculating looks sent her way, and looped her arms around his neck. Snape hugged her back, a little awkwardly, as she only came up to his shoulder.

"Guess what?" She said brightly, her smile infectious. Snape raised an eyebrow.

"You broke out of hospital?"

There were disbelieving looks, and some incredulous ones, and the woman blushed.

"Well, yes, but that's not what I wanted you to guess." Snape frowned.

"You murdered that paedophilic nurse who continually asked you if you needed help in the shower."

The woman slumped, pouting.

"Damn it, I knew I'd forgotten something. But, no."

"You went on a killing spree."

"Be reasonable."

"You…actually, that's not child friendly."

The woman, and a few of the teachers sniggered, but she shook her head.

"I don't want to know what you were thinking."

"Pity. You burned down the hospital."

The woman broke out of his arms, aghast.

"Severus! How dare you say such a thing?"

Snape placed a look of enlightenment on his face, which served to make the whole situation rather comical, if not a bit surreal.

"Ah! You blew it up this time!"

The woman punched him in the shoulder, laughing; a rich, clear sound, and the Hall felt lighter.

"'Very! No, that wasn't it."

Snape raised both eyebrows.

"Well, you can't have been discharged, because that happens in three days." His tone was sharp at the end, and the woman winced.

"Yeah, about that…,' she grinned again, 'I officially, finally, have a clean bill of health. No more stays in hospital for me!"

For a moment, Snape stood there, motionless, expressionless, staring at her.

"You're joking." He said flatly, disbelief underlying his voice. The woman raised her own eyebrow.

"No, I'm Evan. Honestly Severus, get it right."

Snape's lips tilted into his crooked smile, before he bowed suddenly, procuring a flower seemingly out of thin air. Harry frowned as he tried to place it, nodding to Neville when he hissed "dogwood". From the looks on the faces of some of the Purebloods, the flower had some meaning. He turned to Neville, who caught his gaze, and whispered.

"Victorian language of Flowers; dogwood means 'love undiminished by adversity".

"Happy Valentine's Day and 15th Anniversary, dearest Evan."

Evan blushed, and took the flower, giggling slightly.

"You are a charmer, aren't, you."

She tucked it behind her hair, the white petals glowing against her hair. Snape's smiled became even more crooked; something Harry didn't think was possible, before he brushed a curl out of her eyes tenderly, an indescribable expression on his face. "Evan" smiled up at him, before grabbing his hands, and leading him out of the Great Hall, ignoring Dumbledore's noise of protest.

"Come on Very, you can show me the private labs since Slughorn never let us anywhere near them when we were at school." She stated enthusiastically. An expression of fond amusement crossed Snape's face.

"That's because we already stole from the class supplies; he didn't want us stealing form his personal supply." Snape teased (a surreal experience for all those watching, bar Harry and a few Slytherin's).

Evan huffed, and walked faster, making Snape stumble slightly, before he jabbed her sides, making her squeal with laughter as she walked out the door, shoving Professor Snape lightly, eyes full of adoration and amusement.

There was silence before they left, before the hall broke out into excited chatter, and some mild grumblings, all speculating and gossiping about the revelations that just occurred, while Dumbledore sat upon his throne, looking calculating and most likely scheming something.

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And if Professor Snape didn't turn up to breakfast the next day, who were they to judge?

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There we go, some cute fluff. As per usual, leave a review!

Cheers,

Siofra