Emerging from the Shadows
Leonor finished the party preparations and dried her hands on the apron. The morning changed quickly into early afternoon. An odd tension hung in the air. Today was unusually silent despite the excitement when Eileen unwrapped a small pile of birthday gifts. Not even the discovery of the attic created much of a conversation. Severus sat on the sofa reading the newspaper. Leonor watched him a while and missed the rustling of turning pages. He ate almost nothing for lunch and became more and more taciturn after removing the Fidelius Charm. All he said the whole morning was that muggle and wizard repelling charms were still active securing the area; those who knew the location were able to arrive by Apparition at the kissing gate or could use the Floo network instead. The house and the beach were visible to wizards and witches once they crossed the boundaries. The cottage 'Above the Cliffs' changed from a highly secured area to a regular wizarding home. Normality returned slowly.
Eileen and Marcus took their after-lunch nap, both exhausted from examining birthday presents. Eileen squealed in delight finding a neighing silvery pink unicorn inside a cardboard box. She was even more fascinated when it walked round, kicked the hooves, tilted his head, and swished its gleaming tail back and forth. Marcus got attracted by a mysterious crackle issued from the shimmery wrapping paper. He squeezed it, tasted the paper, tore it in pieces but the tiny exploding noise remained a secret. It was fun to see how magic attracted the young. Marcus investigated new things with fierce concentration whereas Eileen reacted mostly with sheer pleasure. She smiled brightly and on Marcus' forehead appeared cute little frown lines seeing a curiosity.
"Anything interesting in the Daily Prophet?" asked Leonor in a conversational tone.
Severus just grunted, turning a page with too much force.
Leonor bit her lip, knowing immediately that his mind was somewhere else; the reason for the edginess easy to guess. Leonor hoped for a light-hearted celebration but when the morning progressed the doubts grew heavier. What if the guests asked nosy questions Severus' didn't want to answer? Leonor and Severus expected visitors for the first time in their relationship and that alone was enough explosive material for many couples; the history of the war and all the necessary hiding made it even more difficult, normality still quite fresh.
Leonor knew the guests well, but Severus didn't. He heard of them without being part of the conversations or afternoon teas. Leonor felt as if she pushed him down a cliff into open water. Severus was too proud to admit it.
"Do you think the wicker furniture was destined for the patio? It looks unused. The cushions are new," said Leonor reflectively.
"Perhaps. The stone paving is unfinished; looks as if your grandparents planned it bigger than it is now." Severus put the Daily Prophet down and added, "Still tracing your grandmother's history?"
"A bit. I wonder why they left such a great place and exchanged it to a much smaller and older house in Argentina," mused Leonor.
Severus didn't answer and folded the newspaper.
"I miss a door to carry the tray straight from the kitchen to the table outside. What do you think?"
He shrugged and studied the large window front of the kitchen. There was enough space for another door.
Leonor fed the birds with some biscuits and sat next to Severus snuggling against his shoulder. "Sorry, to let you go through all the strain this afternoon. It's been an offhanded decision. I didn't think about it."
She squeezed his fingers and began to draw small circles on the back of Severus' hand.
"What do you mean?" He feigned ignorance.
"Five guests are a lot for a beginning. You are uneasy."
Severus put an arm around her and blushed slightly. "I mourn the lost exclusive privacy after erasing the Fidelius Charm."
Leonor knew he made an excuse but kept quiet; the cottage was still secluded and far away from busy eyes. Nothing betrayed the solitude.
She loved sitting with him on the sofa, listening to the silence, his body remarkably close, warm, and leanly built. It felt like they knew each other for an eternity. Today it made her melancholic; a picture wriggled through her mind — she and Severus old and grey-haired on the same upholstery with the traditional design of English Roses. It was a nice image but there were many more things to discover before the evening of life began. They both were older than most parents in the wizarding world. Children came with responsibility and love of life. Now, Leonor wanted it all, and she did not mind being already in the mid-thirties. The family was whole, and even if the ministry pronounced no verdict of acquittal, Severus was alive, their minds connected forever, physical distance no challenge to resolve.
Severus recovered quickly — only the scars told a story. Wasn't it proof enough of a great time ahead? He looked more youthful, tied the long black hair often into a low ponytail. It showed his face, open-minded and downright. It suited him well. The sun gave Severus' skin a nice touch of olive; he had never been a type for rosy cheeks. The hooked nose was suddenly just a beauty spot in between a stern and self-confident expression. Leonor got still lost in the unfathomable dark eyes. The gleam in it spoke about love and hope. A soft note replaced the bitterness.
"You look smart," she smiled pressing a kiss to Severus' cheek, inhaling the masculine scent like a sweet drug.
"Muggle clothes," he snorted.
Leonor grinned watching Severus' frown carefully. He seemed satisfied with the slim black muggle denims, combined with the old expensive leather belt and a white shirt; the belt buckle and the cuff links polished in Slytherin's silver colour reminding her faintly of snakes and a shiver run down her spine.
"I need to change, or Heather and Thomas will find me in the apron," she said quickly shaking off the thought about the coiling serpent. She stood up, but Severus held her back.
"Do you think they will accept us?"
"They will, Sev. Caryn did. Richard wants to meet you anyway. I think he's ashamed of how he treated you in the past and certainly happy to suggest something supporting your recovery."
Severus smirked unable to believe Leonor's words and therefore chastising her with a warm hug.
"Our children have your eyes, dark grey like the ocean on a stormy day. Everybody sees that you love Marcus and Eileen and me. Love will make them understand and accept. The dark times are over, Sev."
She gave him a fervent kiss; it usually helped to pull Severus out of pointless musing about things that could not be changed anymore. When they broke apart, she hurried away closing the bedroom door with a nervous smile and a soft thud.
Severus stroked Flint who cowered hunched on the perch. The once so well-built and large bird aged hourly, the silken plumage now ruffled and dull. A day of fire was expected soon, the first since Flint lived with Leonor. The Phoenix nibbled on a nut, looking sad and beaten and Severus hoped that Flint didn't suffer too much until he raised from the ashes again. The owls had flown out after taking the titbits from Leonor and settled again in the small forest behind the kissing gate. Severus heard a distant hoot when he paced up and down the kitchen before looking absent-mindedly to the calm sea. The weather showed its best today, mild temperatures, a few white clouds, no wind. The countryside around the cottage and the view were marvellous; there was no way to get tired of it. Severus had no idea what to say when Heather and Thomas arrived a few minutes early and before Leonor had changed. He feared to explain himself and all recent events more than being shunted aside. He lived in solitude most of his life, secured the privacy beyond everything and now people might show interest, his deeds and motives came into focus — at least that was to be expected once he moved into the open. Today was a trial run. Severus still stared across the water focusing on the endless and bright horizon when the bedroom door opened. He turned and heaved a sigh of relief.
Leonor stood by the door, unmoving, just looking at him, nervous fingers fumbling on the summery jersey dress. She seldom displayed a preference for light colours and therefore the sight was even more surprising. She wore a form-fitting sleeveless tank top in white; the colour a nice contrast to the sun-kissed shoulders. The bell-shaped skirt ended right above the knees, covering the necessary and creating dreams of what lay beneath. The cornflower blue skirt and sandals looked good on her natural honey-coloured legs. She twisted the long brown hair into a low bun; the soft skin on the nape visible and inviting for a tender kiss. He was in love.
"Do you think it will do today?" she asked, the voice slightly breathless and trusting. Then Leonor made a step towards him, corrected the diamond charm and the bracelet, waiting for an answer. He looked at her for long few seconds — his beautiful wife standing in front of him. Then Severus bent over and kissed the red lips, and it felt as if they must kiss for ever.
Green flames burned up when Severus' hands held Leonor's cheeks, their tongues still entwined, skin touching skin. He had no rush finishing the kiss — it explained everything to the clueless arrivals. He let go slowly and took Leonor's hand facing a short man who brushed soot from horn-rimmed glasses. Behind the man a woman climbed from the fireplace dressed in an ochre-flowered gown, straightening the collar and the long sleeves. Then she busied herself preparing a parcel with an overlarge pink bow and flowers on top. Thomas put the glasses back to the nose and it looked strangely crooked. Obviously, he was blind without the glasses and noticed only now the two people standing in front of him, hand in hand.
"Oh," exclaimed Thomas in surprise, winning time before speaking by linking arms with Heather. The woman ogled at Leonor and the man beside her with an expression of 'I knew it all along'.
Thomas gazed at Severus, clearly knowing who stood before them. Then he said with a small grimace, "I'm not prepared for a formal introduction, but I'll do my best."
The short man stretched his right arm bowing wonderstruck and shaking Leonor's hand first. "Thank you very much for the invitation, Leonor. You look splendid if I'm allowed to say it."
With these words he turned to Severus, shaking his hand equally forceful. "Thomas Walsh, Public Servant of the Ministry of Magic and Representative of the Welsh Wizarding Community, and my wife Heather Walsh, good-natured soul of Whitesands Haven. A warm welcome to our community!"
Severus bowed slightly too and said simply, "Severus Snape, I'm pleased to meet you."
"Likewise!" Thomas shuffled his feet while Heather shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Leonor.
"Eileen and Marcus are still asleep. Please sit down!" Leonor pointed to the kitchen table filling the awkward silence with a bit of small talk.
In the middle of the conversation about weather and gardening Thomas burst with curiosity and spluttered, "Severus Snape is alive! Did I overlook the news in the Prophet?"
"Yes, I am still alive. Thanks to Leonor," said Severus amused, taking Leonor's hand in his own. "The Daily Prophet and the ministry will learn it soon enough. There are some things to sort out before. I'd appreciate if you keep quiet for a few more weeks."
"Sure," said Thomas hastily and Heather nodded.
It was hard to say what the two elderly people thought about the request or if they still feared the former Death Eater. Anyway, questions brimmed over the edge of Thomas' and Heather's eyes, but they did not ask aloud. Severus wondered a moment if he glared at them like intimidating the students in the past, but he did not.
"There's something I like to ask before the other guests arrive," whispered Leonor into the tension and conjured two scrolls of parchment from a drawer.
"These are the real birth certificates of our children and the midwife can confirm that later to you. The fake ones were necessary to keep me, Eileen, and Marcus safe. The war is over now and I —," Leonor glanced nervously at Severus and repeated, "— and I see no reason to keep things a secret anymore. Please register the correct certificates with the ministry."
Thomas adjusted the glasses and looked from Leonor to Severus before taking his time to read the papers carefully.
"I see. No problem, the other documents are still with me. The ministry didn't catch up with the remote locations so far." His business tone broke the awkward atmosphere. Leonor smiled relieved and Heather read the birth certificates too.
"You could have told us earlier," scolded Thomas softly. "Heather and I guessed that there was something funny."
"— and we've been right that you live in the old wizarding cottage," added Heather. "Nobody of the living in Whitesands Heaven ever saw that great area, but stories are told. And now we are here." Heather's voice almost cracked with joy. "You have to tell us how you found it!"
"It's the cottage of my grandparents and Severus found it. He recognized the area on an old photograph."
"Fantastic, it would have been a shame if such a view was lost." Heather gestured along the windows.
Thomas finished reading the birth certificates a second time, folded the parchment and stuffed it to an inside pocket before muttering 'will be done tonight'.
"Thank you," said Leonor with a low voice.
"Not at all. You haven't been the only one asking for amendments because of the war. To be honest, I could use a Firewhisky on the surprise! It's not all day that a man of the countryside — even though I'm a ministry official — sits vis-à-vis an important person and registers his children." Thomas peered hard at Severus Snape as if he wanted to dive into the depths of the inscrutable dark eyes.
Severus' body became rigid hearing the word 'important' and Leonor suppressed a giggle knowing that Severus stood in the centre of attention now. She squeezed his hands before walking away to get the drinks.
Leonor poured a Firewhisky to Thomas and Severus and an Eggnog to Heather and herself.
"To you!" Thomas raised his glass, Heather copied him, and they all drank in one go.
"Would you mind showing me the area?" said Thomas and there was no doubt whom he preferred as company.
Severus neither moved nor spoke and Leonor said quickly, "I'll dress Eileen and Marcus. I'm sure they are both awake meanwhile. Alma and Caryn must be here shortly. I better stay to get everything ready, but Severus can go with you."
"That's lovely," replied Thomas and walked already out of the kitchen and through the front door. Severus had no choice and followed; lips pressed together in a helpless bad mood.
When the two men were out of sight, Heather and Leonor went to the bedroom finding two bright-eyed children.
Heather helped Eileen into a cute dress, pinned a flower to the soft curly hair and when the little girl looked like a princess, she gave her the present. Eileen studied the package with the bow and the flowers carefully. Then she called, "Mummy," when the bow didn't open, and Heather helped to unwrap several wooden blocks in different shapes and colours.
Heather smiled watching Leonor's daughter, "Eileen always liked those wooden building bricks in the small play area in my shop. There's more of them if she gets older and enjoys it."
Leonor was still busy with Marcus. "I'm sure she likes that. Thanks to you and Thomas for coming. I'm really happy."
"I understand why you've been so cagey." Heather added in a more casual tone, "How long are you and Severus Snape together?"
"About two and a half years in a permanent relationship."
"And where did you meet?"
"At Hogwarts; it was Christmas five years ago. I worked there as a temp."
Heather walked to the nappy-changing table.
"Marcus will look like his father if he's grown up." Heather gave a wise smile and tickled the little boy who smiled only reluctantly. "He has not only his father's eyes, but the black hair and the same pallid skin. Eileen comes more after you, Leonor."
"You cannot know that," replied Leonor confused by the suggestion.
But to her surprise, Heather insisted on it. "Oh, I know many things. Let's talk again when Marcus starts school."
Leonor wanted to discuss it but got disturbed by Caryn's and Alma's cheerful calls from the fireplace. Both arrived at the minute and Eileen's first birthday party run its course.
A three-tiered cream cake with a filling of strawberry, lemon and vanilla crème tasted young and old. The birthday girl enjoyed playing with the new toys or being carried around by her guests. The adults chattered; Alma and Heather fixed a date for a business visit, both curious to see the shop of the other. Leonor gained much praise about her dress coming from the newest Italian collection. Alma burst with pride to have selected it and Heather wanted to secure parts of the collection for her muggle shop.
Eileen enjoyed the afternoon to the full and snickered all the time. Marcus observed everything from a safe distance; huddling against his father's chest and listening, especially to Thomas' mysterious story after dinner. Both children fell quickly asleep after that, both with many new impressions and exceedingly heavy-lidded.
The arrival of Richard brought new topics for conversation; St. Mungo's and the Ministry of Magic created a brilliant topic to talk about. It took not long until Richard thanked Severus for the Crutiatus Potion and wanted to know more about the research. Severus reacted cross and glared at Leonor for betraying the secret until Richard confirmed that he just sounded things out, and he had only a good guess which was now confirmed by Severus himself. Severus backed down grudgingly and gave a profound introduction of the development of the potion. Leonor's former mentor asked so many detailed questions that the other guests gazed in between Richard and Severus without understanding anything. Finally, Leonor was unable to distinguish if the dizziness in her head came from the Eggnog or the detailed level of potion knowledge. Severus was unfazed by that; he was a potion master after all. It took long until Richard was satisfied and finished the conversation with a heartfelt groan.
"Publish it soon. The timing cannot be better. The potions' guild must not have any objections," advised Richard.
Severus only circled the amber liquid in the glass without giving an answer.
The guests left late, all slightly befuddled and still not too tired to chat again in front of the fireplace before taking the Floo home.
XXX
A campfire burned next to the patio; the orange flames created moving shadows in the sand. Leonor leaned against Severus, his arm around her shoulder. It was long after midnight, and they sat in silence, both indulged in thoughts.
"Let's go to bed," said Leonor finally. "I'm proud of you," she whispered when pulling Severus' up and in her embrace. "Tomorrow I want to know what you discussed with Thomas; I'm too tired to listen now."
Severus extinguished the fire with a swish of his wand and replied casually, "I told you already. It was only small talk."
"It did not look like small talk; you walked with him and Marcus several times along the cliffs," complained Leonor.
"Marcus becomes tired if there's too much to observe. I wanted some rest for him. You cannot say that Caryn, Alma and Heather laugh particularly quiet. Sometimes it was like in a bee house," sniffed Severus and that was indeed true.
Leonor frowned but did not press it further. She got the same answer twice before.