Ch 40
Although it was said throughout many generations that Hogwarts itself could do magic, no one really believed it until they saw what happened in the weeks after the war. Each day valiant warriors who'd fought in the battle, slowly but surely, got up and started helping with the cleanup. At night as they slept under it's roof, it seemed as if the castle was starting to repair itself. No one truly believed what they were seeing, thinking that it was merely someone doing work through the night as the rest slept. That is until they saw it repair sections of the walls before their very eyes. In almost no time at all the castle was back to being the radiant jewel on the Scottish coast that it had always been.
The summer seemed to slip away quicker than any other in recent memory, until it was suddenly the beginning of the new term. As Dumbledore stood to welcome the students new and old, a hush fell over the crowd. A smile covered his face as he stared into the crowd, his half-moon glasses glinting gold from the innumerable candles in the room, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts."
Just saying these simple words caused an explosion of applause and cheers through the Hall.
He raised his hands to quiet them down and continued on, "Although I know it is usually my practice to issue the start of term notices after the feast, there are a few things I feel need to be discussed prior. First, I am certain that most of you were under the impression that I was deceased." A light laugh escaped from him, "As you can see, that is not so. I am more than pleased to inform all of you that I have been reinstated to Headmaster of Hogwarts by the Governors and the staff."
Another loud round of applause, and a few shrill whistles, rippled through the Hall.
"Second, if you would all take a look at the staff table you will notice some changes in our line up this year." He paused while the students got a good look at the staff, "Professor Snape," he said motioning to Severus, who was attired in is usual black cloak, making him the strange dark cloud at the otherwise vibrantly colored table, "will be taking his post as Potions Master back once again as Professor Slughorn has gone back into retirement." Next to Severus he gave his daughter a smile, "The Defense Against the Dark Arts post will be shared by Professors Knight, and Lupin," he said indicating Remus who sat on her other side smiling as he held Tonk's hand. His wife attired in a brilliant purple robe and her usual bubble-gum pink hair setting her apart from the rest of the staff. "Lastly Miss Lupin has graciously offered her services as our security Auror."
He turned to look at the staff table once again, giving Minerva a brilliant smile which she returned before he started again, "Lastly, I would like you to know that Professor McGonagall is no longer with us." There was a confused murmur throughout the room as each set of eyes turned to Minerva who was very obviously sitting at the staff table between Dumbledore's, currently unoccupied seat, and Poppy. "This is because she is now Professor Dumbledore. We were married last month. A beautiful affair…"
Clearing her throat she quickly cut him off before he started babbling.
He laughed, "Indeed, that is a story for another time. For now I will leave you with those announcements to ponder over while you are enjoying your feast."
Clapping his hands the golden plates in front of them began to fill with food.
Resuming his seat, he was almost immediately assaulted by Minerva's chastising, "Albus was it really necessary to announce out wedding at the feast?"
He looked at her seriously, "Yes Minerva it was. I believe the students have full rights to be privy to such information now that the threat of the Dark Lord is no longer hanging over us."
"Very well Albus," she sighed and shook her head, "it is not as if I could take back your words at any rate."
He looked at her curiously, "Are you unhappy with me?"
Her eyes grew wide and she placed a comforting hand on his arm to alleviate his fear, "On the contrary, I would however, have liked a little less of a display to let the students know."
He laughed, "That was not a display in the least my dear. I had contemplated the idea of snogging you in front of the students, but thought the better of it before acting on impulse."
"Albus," she all but shrieked, "you wouldn't dare!"
His eyebrows rose and his blue eyes twinkled as he asked, "Is that a challenge?"
She blushed, "Albus…"
She started, but was cut off by a loud babbling at the end of the table where little Carina and Teddy were sitting with Andromeda trying to feed them unsuccessfully. Minerva got up and quickly went to the witch's aid, leaving her husband behind with a rather large smirk plastered across his face. "Is everything satisfactory here?" Minerva asked Andromeda looking between her and the two children.
"It would be if Teddy here would stop pulling Carina's hair." Andromeda answered still trying to get the boy's pudgy hand from around the girl's black locks.
A wail issued from Carina as the infant tugged even harder. He seemed to enjoy this immensely, giggling as his hair turned a vibrant turquoise. Finally free from his grasp, thanks to Andromeda, Minerva picked up the small girl. "Come on little Lass. It's time to eat."
"Thanks Minerva," Andromeda sighed, watching as Minerva took Carina back to her seat and sat the toddler on her lap.
Victoria smiled at the pair as Minerva attempted to get Carina to eat some mashed potatoes. "So how's our little one doing this evening?"
"As happy as ever," Minerva smiled giving the toddler another bite, "as long as Teddy isn't pulling her hair."
Victoria laughed, then shook her head slightly, "It's a little strange to think that Sirius and Hestia's daughter is now my baby sister."
Minerva smiled, "It is at that."
"You really are doing a wonderful thing you know," Victoria said seriously. "I don't know what would have happened to her without you and Albus."
Minerva looked down at the little girl in her lap, her dark curls bouncing as she giggled, and smiled, "She's given us a second chance. I never thought I could have gotten that again."
Victoria smiled, although a bittersweet feeling ran through her. She wished that she could have gotten the chance to grow up with her parents. It wasn't like she had a bad childhood, but she felt like she'd missed the opportunity. She bit back a tear and smiled at the little one, "Well little one, I certainly hope you don't mind having a sister nearly forty years your senior."
Carina looked at her with confusion in her steel gray eyes, but then burst into another fit of giggles as Victoria picked her up out of Minerva's lap and started tickling her. A smile crossed Minerva's face looking at her two girls as she reached under the table to join hands with her husband. It felt as if Minerva's life was finally falling into place. Here with her family she was happier than she'd ever been. She felt like life was perfect.
…
After leaving the Great Hall from the fabulous feast that the house elves had put together, Victoria was happy to retreat to the serenity of the dungeons. As she walked the path that had by now become second nature, she couldn't help but remember what it was like venturing down there the first few times when she had started making the Wolfsbane for Remus. She'd been terrified, if she were honest with herself, to enter the lower levels of the castle, knowing that at some point she'd inevitably have to encounter Professor Snape. It made her laugh now to think of what she'd thought of him at the time. It was amazing to think that the cold and brooding man was the same person she'd come to fall in love with.
Knocking on his office door she stood slightly bouncing on her heels in anticipation for him to answer. A moment later he was standing before her, his ebony cloak wrapped around him like bat wings, his hair falling like a curtain onto his shoulders, and a scowl on his face. He looked exactly as he had when she'd been afraid of him, "Professor Snape, may I come in?" she asked feigning terror.
He held back his smirk and stepped back without a word allowing her to enter. She stepped inside and heard him close the door behind her. As she came into the room she noticed a cauldron bubbling away in the middle of the room. Stepping over to it she smirked, already knowing what it was. Inhaling the intoxicating scent of lavender, vanilla, and she finally realized, the scent of him, she smiled impishly, "Amortentia? Is that how you're doing it Professor?"
"Doing what Miss Knight?" he asked as he wound his arms around her waist from behind.
She turned in his arms to look into his face, "How you put the spell on me?"
He gave a light laugh and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, "I fear it is you that has put a spell on me."
She smiled laying her head on his shoulder, "Is that so? And how do you propose to fix this problem?"
He pulled back from her and looked deep in her brilliant blue eyes. "Like this," he said quietly and released her from his embrace, dropping to his knee.
A gasp escaped her lips as she saw him, a tear forming in her eyes. She felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest, but she couldn't wipe the smile from her face.
"Victoria Katherine Knight," he started in his slow drawl, a serious look in his inky black eyes, "you have bewitched me. Body, mind, and soul I am yours. It has taken 18 years for me to finally see the light, but I now know, you are the only one my heart has ever rightfully belonged to. Although the infatuation I had with Lily may have clouded my judgment for some time, you are the only woman I have ever truly loved. Neither of us can say that we are ignorant to heart break, or the terrors that life can hold, but I would like nothing more than to be given the chance to see each other through it. With each passing day I grow more in love with you, and I now wish to ask you if you will do me a great honor and become my wife."
Tears were now streaming down Victoria's face. She'd never heard more beautiful words and knew there were no words adequate enough to answer. She felt as if her throat had closed, unable to speak; she pulled him up and kissed him fiercely. As she pulled away from him, a smile which could have lit up the entire castle on her face, she finally answered, "Yes Severus. I'll marry you."
He smiled, pulling a box out of his robes and opening it. Taking the ring out, he slipped it easily onto her finger. She looked down at the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen. It reminded her of the one that Minerva had gotten from Albus. It was white gold, with a large diamond in the center and two stunningly blue aquamarines on either side of it. It didn't look like a new ring, quite the opposite with the intricate filigree on the sides of it.
She continued to look down at the amazingly beautiful ring until he leant down and kissed her again, drawing her attention, "Do you like it?"
"It's perfect," she beamed, resting her hand on his shoulder and looking at it once more.
"It was my great grandmother's. Once I saw your eyes there was only one woman I ever envisioned wearing it," he stroked her cheek gently looking deep into her eyes, which matched the color of the stones perfectly.
She leant forward, capturing his lips once again. Breathing heavily as they parted, she breathily sighed, "I love you Severus."
"I love you too Victoria," he said pulling her to him again.
She felt like she was going to burst with joy. She didn't know if it was possible to be happier than she was at that moment, but she knew she was going to keep trying to live up to it. Anything was possible, as long as she had him with her. Finally, within the walls of this castle, with her family and now her fiancé, she felt as if she was where she was meant to be.
...
A/N: Wow, talk about an emotional journey. There has been so much that's gone on in my life in the last year, and I feel like this story has captured most of it. I have laughed and cried along with my characters and now, sadly, it is time to say good bye. It hurts me more than you can possibly know, but it is time. I would once again like to say a great thank you to my faithful reviewers, Burgundyhope, 13Sarah94, Cruella95, and my wonderful beta, slenderpanda597. Without all of you this would not have been half as good as it is. I would also like to say a big thank you to all of you who read this, whether it be as I've added chapters to it or once it is finished. Without all of you I could not do this. So with a heavy heart I must say good bye for now. As always let me know what you think in either a review or a PM. Thank you.