Good day, readers. I hope you enjoy this chapter, a nice long one. More to come, stay with me.
Also, I noted a decent number of faves/follows. I hope you'll be brave enough to offer a review. They are much appreciated. Distant early warning, once I finish (I can see the light at the end of the tunnel), I'll ask for ideas on where to go next, so get your thoughts in gear.
Enjoy! -DN
Thursday had felt like more than a week packed into one day. Friday, instead, passed too slowly, as he knew it would. Pacing the rows of students agonizing over the afternoon's O.W.L.s in Astronomy and Arithmancy, hands clasped behind him, his sharp eyes scanned for stray glances, extra bits of parchment, or any use Vanishing Ink on hands or wrists. The sound of quills scratching desperately combined with the scents of nearly year-old, bordering-on-rancid ink and student anxiety did not please the Headmaster nearly as much as they had in previous years, given that they signaled both discomfort, as well as the approaching completion of the school year and a return to silent halls and quiet grounds. That this was the last session of O.W.L.s for the year did please him. Though his watchful eyes were on the students, his mind was far from the Great Hall. The weekend, for so long filled with a toxic combination of desperate study and draining experiments, school business, and sleepless nights, now could not arrive soon enough. Morgan had not come to breakfast in the morning, leaving him alternating between certainty that she was fine, an incredibly strong witch, her recovery assured, and recalling that his was a novel antidote and its effects not fully known at all. Janiss Ames' recovery was another story, her overall strength and power less known.
Lunch had been spent in conference with Professor Flitwick and Madam Hooch, at which he requested their help planning the post-exam celebration. Their somewhat dubious stares required him to insist that he was serious and to reiterate that his expectations were high. He hadn't told Morgan about his plans, but his promise to himself was sufficient to require follow-through. For perhaps the first time since his first year at Hogwarts, he might possibly be looking forward to a school ball. He instantly discarded that ridiculous thought. He would endure the event only for her sake, he reminded himself.
At long last, Professor Vector rang the bell that signalled the end of the exam period. Snape barked "Immobulus," halting every quill in the room, followed by fruitless groans of protest. He strode the room, collecting exams, releasing quills, and shooing students back to their commons rooms, outside, wherever, just out of here so he was freed to visit the Infirmary. His perceptive ears overheard choice bits of conversations as students filed out the doors into the noisy halls filled with friends likewise liberated from exams and planning raucous times of the weekend.
"I heard a rumor that he also dueled Professor Hunter and lost that, too." "Why would he do that if he'd just battled for Alexander? Things never make any sense around here." "She doesn't seem like some who'd play second wand." "They came into dinner together, too. He looked all greasy, like usual, and she was dressed in some weird old blue and yellow get-up instead of the fancy things she usually wears. I have no idea." "He's in a bad mood because he lost that duel yesterday. I'm surprised he's even here, he was knocked on his…" Snape cleared his throat loudly, causing fifth-year legs to suddenly sprint towards the Entrance Hall, none of them even looking backward over their shoulders to see the Headmaster's steely glare.
Once he and Vector certified the exams to the observers, he made a beeline out the door himself. Being the subject of student speculation and rumor was inevitable at this point, he thought resignedly. The staff had been professional enough thus far not to inquire as to the happenings of the previous day, although Madam Hooch had asked rather pointed questions about the timetable for repairs to the Quidditch pitch and stands over breakfast. Her questions ceased when he began asking her to draw up a budget for improvements to the Quidditch and overall Athletic Department for the coming year. The rest of the staff simply observed and smirked, a response which was nearly as vexing as Madam Hooch's.
He needn't have hurried, as Morgan stood waiting in the Entrance Hall. He nearly collided with her and in doing so, attracted unwanted attention from the mob gathered there. All eyes were suddenly upon him, a condition he detested outside the classroom or lecture hall.
"What would students such as yourselves be doing inside on a day like this?" he growled. "Out with the lot of you, before I think of something else for you to get up to!"
The students, looking stunned, needed no further encouragement and scattered in any direction away from the Headmaster, but mostly towards the doors out to the warmth of the sunny afternoon.
He turned his attention to Hunter. "Dr. Hunter, you are looking well this afternoon," he said evenly, subverting his desire to sweep her into his arms. Public decorum must be maintained.
Hunter quickly erased her own stunned expression to the delighted one she'd worn on her walk to the Great Hall from the Hospital Wing. "Thank you, Headmaster. Madam Pomfrey has released me, though she still wants to see me for 'routine monitoring' once a day," she replied brightly. The smile she cast at him could warm the coldest and longest Highland winter night.
"You must be doing exceedingly well, as Madam Pomfrey is never one to release patients before she is fully certain of their recovery. And Miss Ames?"
Hunter was pleased at his concern for his future niece. "She'd doing well, from a physical standpoint." A cloud of concern now covered her face. "She will need far more than only your antidote to be fully whole again."
Snape began to suggest Pepper-Up potion, or perhaps a sleeping draught, but thought the better of it before the words slipped from his mouth. He recalled Professor Trelawney's technique. As effective as they were, Miss Ames would require a deeper healing. Instead, he said only "There is much we need to discuss, of Miss Ames and many other matters. Perhaps a turn outside in the sun would be a better choice for now. We can begin our business after dinner," he said, offering his arm.
Hunter's mood brightened visibly. "Yes, let's do."
Snape and Hunter took pains to neither notice the students backing away from the paths and onto the grass rapidly as they passed, nor to hear the buzz of rumors beginning. Feeling the glow of the sun on her face for the first time in so long, the softness of the ground beneath her feet, and the warmth of her lover beside her filled her with a tranquility she hadn't felt in more than a year. Once she returned to her rooms, she would rip up the letters she'd written to her friends before and send new ones, telling them to expect a wedding invitation soon. And Hania, she would need to write to him as soon as possible, possibly tonight. She could never consider herself truly married if he didn't perform the traditional ceremonies. They could be married as soon as the Sedona school ended for the year, which would be mid-May. There would be a few weeks' break until the solstice after which the summer session of night classes began for those who wanted extra instruction in Astronomy or Magical Creatures. Perhaps she would be there on her honeymoon by then. The thought filled her with delight.
Snape winced against the harsh assault from the sun. Their time in the fall was during the cold and dark season, when staying indoors was much preferred. She would want more time outside this season. He would need to adjust after his long isolation and time spent largely in the dungeons. He'd need to mix up some sun salve, lest his face and hands redden, as well. He resisted the urge to begin the discussion of their marriage, or her job, or any of the other pressing matters they faced, and instead simply remained silent, taking in the scents of the spring flowers, her perfume, the sunlight on the lake, the tentacles of the giant squid surfacing from time to time to bask in the warmth, and the caress of the breeze on his face. His irritation with prying students, the mountain of school business he faced, and the decisions to be made for Harry (and now Janiss, as well) faded, replaced with enjoyment of this moment.
Now the day which had seemed interminable earlier raced ahead. The sun set too quickly, signalling the approach of dinner. Afterward, they retired to his office, to begin the discussions.
Hunter felt a combination of excitement and dread. They should get to making plans, but there were so many things to settle and arrange. She wished they could simply enjoy their time together, like in the fall, with little pressing need to discuss the difficult, complicated parts of life. She recalled their discussions of her travel schedule, their approach to the experiments, and their writings, and remembered both how complex that was, and how difficult. Perhaps these plans would be easier to execute.
There were disagreements from the start. He wanted to marry as soon as possible, perhaps next weekend or the one after that. They were required to provide time for the announcement to go out, followed by calls for anyone to whom they owed money or who objected to the union to step forward. Once their financial documents could be written up and a contract written, they could have a small private ceremony overseen by Arboreus Hobble and a priestess he knew, without fuss or a spectacle. He conceded that Harry and Janiss might also attend.
She, too, wanted a small ceremony, but at least attended by close friends, in mid-May, once they and Hania could come. She wanted the colors to be white and turquoise. He couldn't have cared less about colors, as long as he wasn't required to wear anything different. Even a small gathering required at least a banquet of some kind. He grimaced at the thought of being the object of speculation amongst strangers he'd just met, knowing nothing of their talents, powers, or lineages. He didn't know anything about what kind of ceremony she had in mind, but suspected it would be very different from the few British weddings he'd attended. He wondered who would qualify as his "close friends," if anyone.
Hunter was becoming irritated with his objection or modification to every notion she put forward. It wasn't as though she were asking for the entire Magical community from both sides of the ocean to attend, nor to request a particularly long engagement. She had hoped he would at most be indifferent as to the wedding itself, knowing he wouldn't want a large party atmosphere. She hadn't expected his having so many opinions, and his obvious growing irritation. Perhaps a change of topic was in order. Surely the honeymoon planning would be more agreeable...
Their trip would have to be delayed, of course. He would need to inform Mr. Hobble not only of their wedding plans, but also to request his attempt to sway the Wizengamot, after which there was the trouble of the cost. Regardless of what personal freedom he might be granted, his poverty would limit his travel plans. She was dismayed. They hadn't even gotten to discuss what sights she wanted to share with him before the ugly truth of money cropped up. She felt it useless to talk about the wonders of the desert before they could even figure out how it would be paid for.
Hunter finally called off any further serious discussions for the evening, chalking up their friction to being tired after such a long week. Perhaps Saturday would be better. She would write to Hania and her friends and he would arrange for Hobble to visit Monday. In the meantime, she settled herself beside him on the sofa, wondering where things would go now.
Saturday morning, as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and the rest filed out of the Great Hall after breakfast to ready themselves for a Hogsmeade visit, Harry felt the strong grip of his godfather resting on his shoulder. Blasting bludgers, why was it that Severus Snape couldn't simply say something to him or send him a small parchment, but instead needed to use such literally heavy-handed techniques to get his attention?
"Before you leave, I'd like a word with you in my office, Harry, if you can spare a moment."
Harry looked with some surprise at Snape. He couldn't recall not being called "Mr. Potter" in the presence of others ever nor could he recall an invitation sounding like anything other than a direct order.
Harry waved off his friends. "Of course, Headmaster. We can go now, if that suits you." Snape gave a curt nod to Ron, Hermione and Ginny as he and Harry departed. Once seated, Harry noticed the rather uncomfortable look on Snape's faced and noted his hesitancy in beginning.
"If this is about my spying on you and Dr. Hunter, I apologize," Harry began. Snape waved away his words.
"No, Harry, that's fine. I'm sure your motivation, and that of your friends, was solely in the interest of communicating the status of Miss Ames," he said sardonically. "There is more you should know, as my godson."
Harry gripped the armrests of his chair, preparing himself for any imaginable news. They were getting married and Snape would be shortly leaving to live in the U.S. Harry's N.E.W.T. scores had come back too low to qualify for Fellbridge, erasing his hope of being an Auror, not to mention Fellbridge was close to the training camp for the Chudley Cannons, from whom Ginny had gotten an offer to join. Covenhall would be filled by now. He would have to begin an apprenticeship in Potions with either Snape or the apothecary in town. His graduation would be further delayed for another year until he passed the minimum required. Or worse, he had passed, and the Dursleys had accepted an invitation from Snape to attend his Hogwarts graduation. The possibilities were endless and each one seemed worse than the next. Harry shifted in his seat, as even worse thoughts began. Snape was ill in some way (he had seemed uncharacteristically weak of late). Perhaps a late effect from Nagini. The Death Eaters were on the rise again, and Snape was too weak to fight them. The Ministry of Magical Education was removing Snape following the assault on the Minister of Magical Education, replacing him with Dolores Umbridge again. He rubbed his hand unconsciously.
Snape leaned forward, his hands clasped on his desk. "Harry, I don't want to delay you any more than necessary, but, as my godson, I feel you deserve to know a few things." Harry braced for the worst. "Dr. Hunter has asked me to marry her and I accepted. We are to be married as soon as a mutually agreeable date can be determined."
Harry sat wide-eyed and slack-jawed for far too long. It took Harry a moment, then two, to fully grasp what Snape was saying. Once he'd recovered somewhat, he stood and offer his hand.
"Congratulations, Severus! That's amazing." Snape shook his hand and allowed a small uncomfortable grin to emerge.
"Thank you, Harry. I am exceedingly pleased myself. As my godson, I'll need you to be witness to the event, as well as to be informed as to the changes this will make to my estate, such as it is."
Harry smiled apprehensively. "Of course, sir. I wouldn't miss it."
"Draco Malfoy and his family may also attend. I hope that won't be an issue."
"Of course not, sir." He wondered idly what Draco had been doing with his time since his defection at the end of the war.
"It will be a small ceremony with only close friends, most likely in mid-May once Dr. Hunter's friends from the Sedona School have ended their term and are free to come."
"I don't have any plans to be away, sir," Harry noted.
"It was further noted to me by my future wife that the 'colors' for the wedding are to be white and turquoise. I have no idea what that means, but I have assured her that I won't be making any changes to my current wardrobe, the single point on which she did not argue with me. You may, however, need the information."
Harry gave Snape an incredulous look. "I do hope you are joking, sir," he said admonishingly.
Snape replied only with a glare.
"You need not get yourself turquoise robes, sir, but you ARE getting married. Wearing the same thing you wear every day would be an insult to her, an insult to the day itself. Not a good way to start a marriage, if you don't mind my saying."
"I do mind, very much. I suggest you keep such opinions to yourself. My personal attire is not what I brought you here to discuss." Now he sounded like the Snape Harry was accustomed to. Commanding and inflexible. Harry decided it was time for a change. Either he'd passed his N.E.W.T.s or not, but the college applications were signed. Snape no longer had as much hold over him as before.
"Severus, it's time you took some advice, wizard to wizard," Harry started, trying to remain conversational, rather than confrontational. "Dr. Hunter is an amazing witch, really incredible. I have no idea how you managed to get a marriage proposal from her. I am not the world's foremost expert in love or romance, but even I know that a wizard should show his respect for his girlfriend, fiancee, or wife by not only being a good man, but also by taking some care after himself. Merlin's beard, man! It's her wedding day, one day! If you can't make that special for her, just by wearing new clothes and maybe getting a haircut, what else won't you do? Do you suppose marriage means you get to just go on living like you have been all these years and she's just there to grin and meet you in the evenings, should you care for some company?"
"Harry, watch your tongue!" Snape spat.
Harry didn't allow himself to be pulled into rising tempers. "Don't be a fool, Severus. You don't have a clue about what this means. Even dating, you have to give something of yourself to other person, just as they give of themselves for you. But a witch worth dating or marrying is worth those small sacrifices. Believe me, there will be far larger ones in the future, and you'll have to navigate those together. If you can't manage to plan your wedding together, how will you manage when someone wants to change jobs, or gets sick, or wants a family? This is just the beginning, Severus. What if the Minister of Magical Education has you sacked and you have no job and no money at all?"
"The Minister of Magic won't be sacking me any time soon, Harry," Snape said smoothly.
"You were already on thin ice with him, then you duelled him in front of more than 150 witnesses! Clearly Dr. Hunter has forgiven you, but I doubt he will, nor the Ministry."
"It's interesting that you say that, Harry, as I have received a note from him just this morning." Snape held up a rather elaborate parchment scroll, sealed with a black and silver ribbon and green wax. "I don't even need to open it to know I am not being sacked. Far from it. Open it and read it to me, Harry," Snape said coolly.
"It's addressed to you, Severus, I'd rather not pry." On closer inspection Harry noted that it did not look like official Ministry communication.
"Your attempt at proper manners is charming, Harry. Open it and read it to me," he repeated.
Harry took the scroll, worked off the wax and ribbon, and began reading the large decorative script.
"Hypatia Theona Helen Alexander
and
Paracelsus Theophrastus Bombastus Winder
joyously announce their engagement and extend an invitation to you and a guest to attend their wedding ceremony to take place on
Saturday, May 8th
at noon
at the British National Magical Botanical Gardens.
Reception to follow on site.
Please wear appropriate footwear and inform yourself as to the nature of the specimens in the Botanical Gardens. Healers and Potioneers with antidotes will be readily available on site, should you or your guest be so unfortunate as to require them."
Harry considered stopping reading here where the formal script ended, but decided against it. He began to read the parts written in another, more casual hand in the margin.
"My dearest Severus, you were amazing. Our debt is settled and you are released. Parse has already agreed to my request that he cease the investigation, which means I won't be visiting anymore. A pity which can't be helped, as entertaining as those visits were. I'm sure you'll find other ways to amuse yourself. I have. Hope you can make it to the ceremony, as the gardens have a lot to interest a Potioneer like yourself. I'll look forward to greeting your guest, as well. Best regards, Hypa." All it lacked as a little heart to dot the i's or around her signature.
Harry had expected Snape to snatch the parchment from him at any moment and set fire to it, but he simply reclined with smug satisfaction. Harry placed the scroll back on the desk, wondering what it all meant. Had he, in fact, had some kind of affair with the Deputy Minister? She referred to "entertaining visits." Harry had thought they were about Snape's probation and the incident with Janiss Ames. Using a nickname, too. Very familiar of her.
"I didn't lose that duel, Harry. I won, and so did Hypatia Alexander. Nothing stirs a middle-aged wizard into action like jealousy."
Harry began to cotton on. "You set him up, so he felt he'd won her as a hard-earned prize? Did you owe some debt to Hypatia? She even called him off the investigation for you, she was so pleased. Good grief, Severus, you need to find something else to do with your mind. You've turned from defeating Voldemort to defeating the Minister of Magical Education."
Snape snorted. "Defeating the Minister of Magical Education took precious little of my wits to accomplish, Harry," Snape said smugly.
"Unlike Dr. Hunter." Once he realized what he had said, Harry wished he could sink into the floor or fade into the stone walls.
Snape raised his eyebrows, but remained contemplative. "Indeed, Harry, indeed. That took every bit of what wit I have." Snape felt the small remains of the daemon stirring within him. But do you have the wits to keep her? She can still back out at any time and you are so very adept at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Snape rose, signaling the conversation was at an end. "I don't wish to disappoint your friends, Harry, who are no doubt suffering from your absence. I'll let you know when a date is set. You may go."
Harry rose, as well, and extended his hand. "Congratulations, sir. She's amazing. Make her happy, Severus." With that, he turned towards the marble staircase. Turning back, he expected to see the Headmaster break out some parchments and begin working or at least appear contented, but instead, he only looked troubled, muttering to himself words Harry could't hear. There was nothing further to say, so he left, pleased to be the first to spread the good, if nearly unbelievable, news about the Headmaster and Dr. Hunter.
After her visit with Janiss in the morning and convincing Poppy to let her go under the same daily monitoring conditions she was to follow, Hunter was able to persuade Janiss to join the Hogsmeade visit. A few Ravenclaw girls were with her, welcoming her back with hugs and concern, which quickly dissolved into making plans for the first Hogsmeade visit with decent weather. Which shops? Which treats? Which boys? Hunter was pleased at the normalcy of it all and hoped it set Janiss on a fresh path. Perhaps they would talk about their plans for the future and help Janiss start to picture her own with more clarity.
The sun and fresh air would help, as well as a new scarf she'd made her from the Solarium fabric. She'd suggested a blouse instead, but Janiss balked at the overly bright colors. It was too warm to cover with a sweater. She offered a Chromodelta charm to change the colors, but Janiss suggested a scarf as a compromise, to which she'd readily agreed. Some kind of healing warmth was what she'd needed and a scarf would be enough.
Now it was time to seek out Severus and take on more of their difficult discussions. She needed to remind herself that his temperament was like that of the Potions they'd made together: difficult, but worth it. That didn't make her look forward to talking with him about money and the wedding, but it did make her look forward to the future, at least, once they'd gotten past these small bits of unpleasantness. She muttered the password (Baneberry) and mounted the spiral stairs. He was already there to greet her, bending down to kiss her nearly before she gotten off the stairs. She melted, feeling a bit weak in the knees, grasping his shoulders to remain on her feet.
"Good morning, my love." The earnestness in his voice made her wonder if he, too, had worried over night, given the difficulty of the evening before.
"Good morning, Waquini," she replied. It just slipped out. He cast her a questioning look. "It's a term of affection in my native language."
"What does it mean?"
He never lets anything slip past him. "It's something like good-looking or sweetheart." Which was almost true.
He did not look completely convinced, but smiled ruefully, knowing she wouldn't be able to keep her secret for long. "I trust Miss Ames is well. Did Poppy release her today?"
At this, Hunter beamed. "Yes, she seems back to 100%, Severus. Your antidote worked well. Poppy released her and she felt well enough to go to the village, which should do wonders for her, as well."
"And you, Morgan. How are you feeling? Fully healed?" He drew her hand to his mouth for a kiss.
"Yes, very nearly so. I nearly overslept breakfast, but otherwise I am doing well. I plan to start teaching again Monday, if you have time to tell me where the students are at since my time away."
Severus muttered a Fenestrata spell and conjured two comfortable chairs by the open window. The fresh air and sunlight cheered the room as never before. The portraits of prior headmasters, at least those not already vacated to sunnier frames, stirred and took in this novelty. Sitting, Hunter smiled as he brought her up to date on her classes, noting which he'd taught himself and which he'd had 7th- and 8th-year students conduct. He mentioned how advanced her students were.
"Had you expected otherwise?" she asked tartly.
"Of course not," he said dismissively, though she knew better. "Given the success of your teaching style, I have attempted to apply some of it to my own students. Rather than having detentions serve as cleaning time, I have allowed those unfortunate students to attempt the potion a second time before assigning an additional detention for the purpose of cleaning." Seeing the disapproval in her face, he paused only a moment. "Actually, I have allowed them class time for the second attempt. Having error-prone students serving detentions no longer suits me, nor does it seem to influence student performance in any obvious positive fashion. Also, I have other things I prefer to do with my evenings." At this, she smiled, recalling the nights he spent at her bedside as she silently flexed her muscles and prepared to escape.
She noted a fleeting moment of hesitation cross his face and wondered what he'd tell her next.
"Morgan, I hope I haven't intruded overmuch." He squared himself and looked at her directly, resting his elbows on his knees. "When I was preparing your lessons, I needed to visit your office, to see what you planned to teach. I saw Phillipus' star map." He hesitated. Was he about to ask too much? The daemon voice spoke again. Just like with the Legilimency, you think you need to know everything. Go ahead and ask. She'll be thrilled to talk to you about her dead husband after you were nosing around in her office while she was unconscious. "What does it mean?"
Morgan Hunter stared at him, looking disturbed. Then the look passed. "It's beautiful, isn't it? It was his last work. It's a map that shows the relationship between the star positions, the seasons, and the most powerful times to harvest certain ingredients. He made it as a planning calendar for me." Here she stood up and started pacing. "Who on your staff draws well? We could make one for Britain, work with Sinistra on it." She summoned a parchment and began writing feverishly, making a rough drawing of how her star map worked and beginning to plan one for here. She began to become out of breath in her excitement. "Emmeline Vance can draw, I've seen her classroom drawings. Will they stay at Hogwarts for the summer? But we will be gone on our honeymoon. I'll take the map with us and show you how it works there. Maybe once we get back in the fall we can create the one for Britain. We could publish this, Severus, and share it. Maybe I can make prints of Phillipus' map, too, to share his brilliance, to let him live a little bit more. Do you know a good printer we could work with? We can offer to create them when we travel for my lectures, one for France, Iceland, Bulgaria, Boston...This will be a great addition to Potions literature and teaching tools."
He was nearly out of breath himself. It was already all planned. He only needed to find a printer. Scrivenshaft would know. He'd send an owl on Monday. By then, she would probably have decided on the parchment weight, ink colors, first edition numbers, and costs. All that would remain would be the design and drawing. If he mentioned this Hogsmeade shop now, she'd probably depart immediately and put in a future order.
He grinned slightly. "I am pleased that you are not overly upset at my intrusion."
"Of course not, how else would you have taught?"
Indeed. It was time to move on. "We also need to discuss the wedding further." He noted her brow furrowing. "Can we create a ceremony that will honor both of our traditions?" The furrow of her brow vanished, a smile spreading over her face.
"Of course, that would be lovely. How about…" She drew forth a second parchment and began writing. He added a few suggestions, which she incorporated. In no time at all, they had an agreement. She stood back and admired their work. What a difference a day made, or perhaps a good night of sleep.
After a satisfying lunch taken on the lawn and a short walk, they returned.
"Have you decided how to assist Janiss? What are her future plans? She has not come to me with college applications to sign or recommendations to make."
"That's not surprising, given all that's gone on. I'm sure her career planning didn't include an attempt to destroy the Headmaster's reputation. At this point, I haven't discussed anything with her. I suspect any future she pictured involved being in the U.S., rather than here. I'll try to encourage her to stay."
"She may be able to work with a Potioneer I know in Hogsmeade, Marcus Belby, until she can get her plans in order. Cloakreth has a creditable Potions graduate program. It would be surprising if she didn't attend a college, but with her talent, she may be able to succeed with a skillful mentor like Marcus. Hogwarts may even have the budget for a teaching assistant, but that will take some study. Professor McGonagall and I have not yet fully planned what to do with our surprising windfall."
Morgan smiled. "I'd like to keep her close, if she agrees. She will need family nearby and an aunt and uncle are all she has."
Uncle. He would be her uncle. He would have a niece. First he needed to learn to be fatherly, then husbandly, now as an uncle. His family, once nonexistent, was growing rather quickly. "She will also have a cousin in Harry, in a manner of speaking, as he is my godson." Morgan smiled at his acceptance of his role in Janiss' life. "The best we can do is find options for her and hope she takes one. She is of age and can make her own decisions, but with no money to speak of, she will find herself with many limitations."
"Which brings me to my next point, Severus. I assume that our marriage will join our fortunes and hence whatever I amass above 20,000 galleons will also be confiscated."
Snape closed his eyes and gripped the bridge of his nose. He had wanted to delay this revolting conversation until some other day, some day that wasn't as lovely as this one, but there was no point in putting it off. He exhaled and braced himself. "That is correct. Harry was allowed to keep his fortune as he is now of age and was when we were Bound. However, should I ever find myself in debt again, he will be obliged to pay for me. Likewise, you and I will be limited, for at least 49 years. Hobble will need to request a statement from the Wizengamot as to precisely what they will allow for my wife (assuming they did not plan on this contingency), but I suspect it will be harshly limited. Hogwarts meets my needs and I am sure we can work out conditions for you, as well. Our travel, if it can be arranged at all, will be modest. It's not likely that you'll be able to visit Madam Malkin any time soon. I know how much fashion means to you."
Morgan snorted. "Fashion? Madam Malkin played me for a fool. I didn't have a thing to wear for this climate. I told her I needed a wardrobe of whatever it was that witches wore here and she did the rest. I had no idea her choices would be so much fancier than anyone wears here, but by the time I figured that out, it was a little late to return anything. I actually planned to give away everything once I left. I like my desert robes better, especially the old ones. They have personality."
Snape took all this in, pleased that she might not be quite as focused on appearances as he'd though. And also pleased that this might be one aspect of their marriage that might not be burdensome to her, such as the location and the poverty. "I see. Of course I respect your choices for what you wear, but I do rather favor a few of the items Madam Malkin picked out. For the winter, of course, only when your other things aren't appropriate."
She grinned. "Such as...?"
On anyone else, his slight blush might have gone unnoticed, but on his pale cheeks, she saw his color rise. "There is a green robe that is quite striking, and one that is dark blue. And a purple cloak. It has a hat that goes with it."
"The dress from the Halloween Ball?"
Remembering her lovely red gown, the way it brushed the floor, her feet peeking out from beneath it, how stunning she'd been as she entered the Great Hall, the texture of the silk beneath his fingers as he'd embraced her on the terrace. "Ah, yes. That, too," he said distantly.
"I'll plan on keeping those, then, if you like them so much."
He snapped back to the moment. "Whatever suits you, my dear." His attempt at feigned indifference failed. "You look lovely even after a duel." From any other wizard, she would have laughed at such an absurd assertion, would have seen it as nothing more than comical flattery. From him, however, she knew it was true.
"I'll be sure to purchase my wardrobe before our marriage, then. Do you need anything? Am I permitted to give you gifts?"
Snape was confused. "Where will you get the money? Your salary at the moment is paltry and you've given the school your entire fortune."
"I gave you all I had at the time, but I've earned some money in the meantime."
"Perhaps you can see to telling your future husband more about your personal finances," he stated flatly, his eyes belying his interest in the topic.
"I own crystal mines in Sedona, some of the most productive in the world. They continue to produce, so I continue to have a steady income. My plans for now are to place them in trust for Janiss, until we can figure out how to manage them under the terms of your sentencing. It is possible that the Ministry of Magic will get their payoff after all."
At this thought, Severus growled his disapproval. "I can already see the wheels turning as you plan to avoid that."
"I don't care about the money, Morgan, it's about them not abusing their power to enrich themselves!"
"I know, I know," she said reassuringly. "We can speak with Mr. Hobble and my lawyer next week and see what it possible."
"Not that I care, but how much income are you receiving," he asked, feigning indifference.
"About 50,000 galleons a month."
He nearly choked at this enormous sum. "Perhaps you might do me the favor of sending a few of those galleons to Mr. Hobble. I find myself rather indebted to him. Perhaps before we marry and your fortune vanishes into the Ministry of Larceny."
Hunter grinned. "I'd be delighted to."
"About your job," he said smoothly, as though he hadn't just learned about his future wife's remarkable financial situation. "I am delighted to offer you a permanent position, tenure track if I can get it approved by the Board, as the Head Potions Mistress for Hogwarts, supported by your junior colleague, one Severus Snape, and possibly a teaching assistant if I am able to find an apprentice so desperate as to join the staff of a school set in the frigid Scottish Highlands."
Hunter looked at him incredulously. "Really, Severus? You'd step down?"
So like her to focus on her ranking in the faculty, rather than the salary. "I find my duties as Headmaster to be rather taxing these days. Your travel schedule will probably result in my teaching nearly as much as I have this year, anyway. I also wish to spend more time teaching Legilimency and Occlumency. Will you accept? Minerva is exceedingly supportive of the idea, as we have discussed it at length. I have little doubt the remainder of the staff would also enjoy your staying on."
"I'd be delighted, but I will put in my request now to spend the winter holiday in the U.S. Perhaps we might arrange an academic exchange with Sedona and bring along a faculty supervisor. Who might wish to go?" He could feel her mind churning with thoughts of the coming year and expected her to draw forth another parchment and draw up a revised lesson plan on the spot.
"You may cause a riot with that offer. We would have to find an equitable method of deciding, or else create a travel fund for the entire faculty and staff." Hunter considered that notion, which was a good one.
"The only remaining matter, then, is that of our honeymoon." Hunter grinned uncontrollably.
"Yes, that. It may be difficult to propose this as an academic necessity," he replied, with more of a twinkle in his eye than any true reluctance.
Hunter gave not a moment's hesitation. "It would be prudent for a school headmaster to know more about Magical education elsewhere in the world, particularly if he is interested in making his school world-class."
"As he would."
"So perhaps this Headmaster should undertake a fact-finding mission to the Sedona School, supervised by his American staff member who might act as his translator for American English." She counted on her fingers as she continued. "You'll need New World ingredients for your new Scorpion Venom antidote and I'll need to teach you where to find them, how to harvest them, how to store them. Including Scorpion Venom itself, which we will import only using the correct forms and storing only under the most secure conditions. Not to mention learning about the star map in the right geographic location, which simply can't be done from here. And crystals, you have a lot of learning to do about crystals…" There were an astonishing number of "ands" that followed. She began a third parchment, writing up her proposal for the Wizengamot to request a school-related trip to the Sedona School, adding in the names of faculty there, plants, animal and mineral names, and a hundred other details.
"Be sure to note there that I will require a budget for sunglasses," he muttered.
"And a new wardrobe," she replied, eyes still focused on the page. "One with fewer layers," she added brightly, glancing at him.
"Never," came the reply. Hunter returned resignedly to her writing.
Hunter barreled along. "We can propose future trips to focus on Astronomy (we'll bring Aurora), which is particularly excellent in the desert…" Her plans would fill the next seven to ten years, at least, during which time he had no doubt she would develop more. He nodded with each following suggestion, until she reached Magical Creatures and bringing along Hagrid. He had his limits.
Once the sound of her quill scratching over the parchment ceased, he pulled her into his lap. "I love the way you think," he murmured against her ear. Responding to such delightful words, she leaned into his arms and kissed him deeply.
"Who would you choose to be my handler?" he asked sardonically, once he was able to speak again. "For you certainly can't be trusted as my chaperone. Bear in mind an open offer may cause another riot, though the desert in summer may have a bit less appeal than at Yuletide."
"I'm thinking of Sybill," she replied. He looked for evidence of humor and found none. "She'll fit in beautifully in Sedona. I have a Seer friend I'd love for her to meet. I think they'd enjoy one another very much. Think of it as faculty development."
Snape looked doubtful. If Sedona was a place where Trelawney would fit in, he wasn't entirely sure it was a place he'd want to be. If Hunter were there, however, he could certainly tolerate a great deal. "Hopefully your friend will be willing to fill vast amounts of her time with Professor Trelawney. I would not want her to be bored, of course," he said with as much a twinkle in his eye as she'd ever seen.
"I have no doubt HE would be delighted to spend far too much time teaching her," she replied.
Severus's eyes widened at this thought, after which he drew her in again for another kiss. She was brilliant, beautiful, and his. He would do anything for her, this amazing witch.