Remembrance

Smiling to herself as she left the castle to visit Hagrid’s hut, Hermione reflected on the two weeks which had passed since Severus’ triumphant return to his natural form. She could scarcely think about that first week at all without blushing like a Weasley and grinning like a Slytherin…or a Potions Master. That entire week, they'd not left Severus’ chambers once. They'd taken all their meals there, and had taken each other everywhere imaginable, eventually working around to the hearth rug. On the third day, Severus received a package from Mr. Ollivander containing his new wand. When Hermione had impatiently demanded he try it out, she had found herself suddenly weightless with his first softly intoned charm. Being Muggle born, Hermione had never imagined the amazing ways one could combine magic with sex. Luckily for her, she had a professor who seemed content to spend the rest of his life instructing her. Flushing again at the thought, she at last reached the corral, meeting a charming sight.

Hagrid had a small herd of unicorns in the corral. A tall, black-robed figure stood out darkly against the sea of nickering white. There he was, her inscrutable man, standing amongst a capering, adoring throng with an uncharacteristic smile lighting up his chiseled features. The smile widened further as he looked up to catch her eye. Then his eyes dropped to the new t-shirt she wore. It was silver, with large, Slytherin green letters proudly proclaiming “Silly Little Girl.”

Rich, baritone laughter echoed over the grounds of Hogwarts.

Two passing first years (startled by the unbelievable sight of their evil Potions Master laughing uncontrollably while standing amid sniggering unicorns) fainted dead away. Severus laughed harder. Rolling her eyes with mock despair, Hermione couldn’t help chuckling a bit herself as she revived the frightened first years and sent them on their way. Turning back to the corral, she found Severus gently pushing the enthusiastic unicorns back as he slipped out of the gate.

“No, no, little ones. You should stay here with Hagrid. He needs you for exams, you know,” Severus said, in a soft tone few had heard. He turned away from the secured gate to pull Hermione into his arms for a kiss.

“I heard from Master Hawking today,” Hermione said, drawing back enough to look into Severus’ eyes. His expression became one of shielded wariness.

“What did he say?” Severus asked simply.

“He agrees with you. He said that I’d learn faster in an apprenticeship than I would at University, and he agreed to take me on.”

Severus was unusually tongue-tied. “I see,” he began quietly, “so…er…I expect…that means you will have to move to America?”

Hermione could barely stand the hint of wistfulness she found in his eyes. “The only place I intend to move is into your rooms--that is, if you will have me?”

Even Severus was unable to conceal the sudden mixture of shock and hope that lit his face. “But…Hermione…your apprenticeship…”

“My apprenticeship will be fine. Master Hawking will only be supervising my work a couple hours a day--it’s all he has time for. He said he doesn’t care where I live as long as he can hook up to the floo network. So, Severus,” Hermione said softly, “where shall I tell Master Hawking I will be living?”

“Your home is with me, Goddess. If you wish it.”

“Yes, Severus,” she answered with a beaming smile. “That is exactly what I want…you are exactly what I want.”

There were no more words for some time, as both speakers’ mouths became quite busily engaged while a herd of cheerfully whinnying unicorns watched from the corral. Eventually they broke the kiss and Hermione saw Severus’ eyes glance to the Hogwarts gate.

“Are you going then?” she asked gently.

“Yes, it’s time, I think.”

“May I come with you?”

“Not this time, siren. I promise I will take you there someday, but I feel this is something I must do alone. Can you understand?” He gazed into her eyes with a worried expression.

“Of course I do, you silly man! Come, I’ll walk you to the gate.”

Hand in hand, they crossed the lawn. Halfway to the gate, they found themselves surrounded by a gleefully sniggering white throng. The unicorns had escaped the corral. They pranced around the pair, tugging gently at their clothes and nuzzling at places they probably shouldn’t have. The human part of the impromptu parade giggled, and batted furry heads away with gentle hands. Students who were lucky enough to witness the impossible event gaped in shock and ran off shrieking to tell their friends in the castle. They were not believed. Albus and Minerva, taking a stroll on the fine spring day, both found themselves sitting in the grass, laughing uncontrollably.

At the gate, the parade paused. Hermione gave Severus one more kiss.

“You promise to be careful?” she said, gazing worriedly up into his black eyes.

“I have my wand, Hermione. Nothing will harm me.” Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “I will never leave you again, my Goddess.” Squeezing her hand before he released it, Severus disappeared with a soft pop of Apparation. The unicorns surrounding Hermione were instantly distressed at the sudden disappearance of their favorite pet. Hermione gave them a chance to calm down, murmuring to them gentle assurances before leading them back to the corral.

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On a rarely traveled path, many miles north of Hogwarts, near a rocky cairn, a wizard appeared. Silent, the man gazed at the cairn, a soft sadness darkening further the black of his eyes. With untold grace he made a sweeping gesture with arm and wand, clear baritone voice echoing in the stillness of the forest. The rocks of the cairn shifted, changed. Melting together, they formed a rectangular crypt, a simple form with rounded edges and unadorned elegance. Another sweep of arm accompanied by murmuring voice and the humble granite took on the sheen of marble. One last charm and a single word carved itself into the top of the monument.

The man sighed, sitting upon the bare earth to rest his back against the new-formed crypt. At first, he sat in silence, lost in thought. Occasionally a small smile would grace his lips. At other times his features would fall into an expression of quiet sorrow. Eventually, he spoke. He spoke of friendship, of loyalty, of love. He spoke of the changes in his life, a life he was only now starting to truly live. He spoke of sacrifice and of remembrance. At last, noting the passage of time by the near setting of the sun, the man stood. Tracing the single word carved into the stone, Severus said goodbye. The man disappeared; the forest was quiet once more. All alone in the middle of an unused path, the monument stood, the word shining silver in the fading sunlight.

“Bob.”