From the Desk Of...

Disclaimer: Except for OCs, the characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling and her assigns.

Severus and Katherine Snape

wish you and yours

a

Joyous Holiday Season

My dear Katherine,

Thank you so very much for your holiday remembrance. I was highly gratified to learn that my favorite cognac is still available. My happiness pales in the delight of discovering that you knew and remembered after all these years that it was my favorite. I can't tell you how pleasing it is to know that someone cares so much about me.

I know that we did not part amicably at the station in Venice, and I am glad to discover that you haven't let it color our relationship. I'm sorry that I can't explain what happened on the train, nor what I did after that. I was able to obtain an item that had been eluding me for some weeks, and therefore the trip was a success even if it lacked something in companionship. It's an amusing story, and I hope that I shall have a chance to explain it all to you eventually.

I will say that my young friend was everything you accused her of being. She was inordinately interested in your husband, although my money was quite fascinating to her as well. I lost track of her only hours after I lost track of you. I would advise caution in your future dealings with that witch. There's something about her that's not quite balanced.

I hope you don't mind that I've taken the liberty of purchasing a few trinkets for the baby. Your London house-elves will no doubt know what to do with them.

All my love,

Sonny

Dear Professor and Mrs. Snape,

I have attached copies of all our N.E.W.T.s grades. Harry, Ron, and I cannot thank you enough for helping us study, especially in the branches of Potions and History (the boys, of course).

Thank you also for the gifts you sent. It was most kind of you to think of us on your travels. The Venetian glass stirring rods are particularly useful as well as beautiful. I'm going to keep mine someplace safe and only use it when making potions that specifically demand a glass stirring rod.

I hope you don't mind, Mr. Andolini came and asked us up to your apartment. He showed us a nursery that he has outfitted. I've also attached some pictures of it. He said that he's going to have it painted and purchase linens as soon as you tell him whether it's a boy or a girl.

Thank you again for all the help for our test preparation. It was most valuable.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

Dear Miss Granger,

Congratulations to you and your two friends on such high scores. I confess that I couldn't wait to hear from you and pestered the board until Edgewater sent me a note to tell me you had no grades below Exceeds Expectations. Nevertheless, I'm gratified to see so many Outstandings among the three of you.

You may tell Potter that they specifically designed the Defense practical with him in mind. If a wizard always reaches for "Expelliarmus," that wizard may indeed find himself dropped on his behind a few times. When everyone knows that's the spell he's going to start with, they can plan accordingly. Savior of the Wizarding world aside, he needed to demonstrate the full range of his ability. I'm glad they made him work for his O, yet I'm not surprised he achieved one.

Katherine is looking over my shoulder and insisting that I tell you if you see her Uncle Sonny, to please tell him he must stop all his work. However, you may tell Mr. Andolini from me that this child is to be a girl. If he wishes to engage in such sentimental pursuits, shades of pink are the correct colors.

Enjoy your vacation. I look forward to hearing great things as you prepare for your careers.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape

Dear Uncle Sonny,

You ought to be ashamed of yourself, chasing after a woman so... so... I don't know the word, but she doesn't deserve anyone as wonderful as you are. I cannot imagine you needed to stoop to that level in order to have companionship, and Severus has now convinced me that you must have been doing something else, so I'll drop it. For now.

The crab cakes and other delicacies you had sent from various countries were delicious, although you'll have to apologize to Josephine the next time you see her. I had to spend a full afternoon explaining that it had nothing to do with her kitchen and that we were sure she could cook just as well as the chefs who made the contents of the box you sent. She was mollified when Severus made her perform whatever magic she has to ensure the safety of the food, but she was still miffed with me.

We have received pictures of the things you sent to our apartment. I am telling you in no uncertain terms to stop adding things to the nursery. I only showed you that the room existed so that you would know that we had plans for children. If you cannot stop, I shall have to instruct the elves to bar you from entering. This child is going to be frightfully spoiled if you and some other people I won't mention lavish so many things upon her even before birth.

You didn't ask, but we spent several days in Monte Carlo. The Malfoys took us in their yacht, and we stayed at The Ambassador once we arrived. I ran into Charles again. I was quite surprised to meet him; he was less so. Have you been in contact with him? I have the distinct impression that someone has.

This story you have promised me sounds a bit off. I hope you haven't been engaging in anything illegal again. I like having you free. It's almost like having family again. Take care of yourself until I'm back in London and I can keep an eye on you.

Love,

Katherine

Kingsley,

Don't pretend to be interested in my health unless you plan to take the situation with Sylvia Greenlee seriously. The woman put a potion in my husband's wine, intending to do something non-consensual with him. She's not a great potions maker and might very well have injured him.

If that's not grounds for investigation, I don't know what is. I understand that you have a great many things to look after these days, but the witch is a public menace. She should be investigated.

Katherine

My dear Katie,

All of my activities are legal in the countries in which I have engaged in them. Beyond that statement, I will not comment on what they are. I've gotten along for sixty-eight years without you mothering me. You needn't start now.

Also, if I wish to spoil a child I plan to view as my grandchild, that's my business. Nothing I do will hurt the child. You have really become fussy in your condition, haven't you? The nursery at your apartment is a delight to the eye. Young Corinne (I hope you will name her after your mother) will not be spoiled but will know every luxury I can bestow upon her.

Lastly, no, I haven't spoken to that puffed up young fop since you brought him to meet me a few years ago. I haven't sought him out or been otherwise interested in his existence. Somehow, I knew you would never be serious about him. The man you married is clearly your equal and then some in a few ways. I don't see a need to worry about the others.

Love,

Sonny

Dear Narcissa,

I never properly thanked you for the days and nights we spent as your guests on the Star Flower. Your yacht is everything a ship should be, and it's my trouble entirely if I was unable to enjoy it to its fullest extent.

We've greatly enjoyed our time with you this winter. I've never seen Severus so relaxed or enjoy himself more than when he can goad Lucius. He walks about the house these days, repeating some of his better comments and laughing to himself.

I think it's a prelude to becoming tired of the one spot. We love it here and pondered staying out of Wizarding society entirely, but I guess we need the stimulation of others too much. He, of course, can leave. He's feeling fine and he's quick to point out that so far no one has tried to kill him. On the other hand, they have poisoned him as a means to seduce him, but he doesn't consider that a problem.

I, on the other hand, am completely unable to leave. I'm a little tired of our house, too, but I can't seem to string together more than two good hours at a time before I feel weak and ill. I don't remember this from before. Severus says it means the pregnancy is healthy. I think comments like that mean he's saying anything to keep me quiet these days.

I hope you're enjoying your cruise around the sea. It sounds quite romantic. I'm sure it's a welcome change from your activities a year ago.

Ugh, I'm starting to feel ill again, so I'd better sign off.

All my love,

Katherine

Dear Katherine,

You poor dear, to be so sick!

I'm sorry to hear that your sickness is so bad, lately. I've heard it gets better at the end of the third month. At least it did for me with Draco. I'm sure Lucius doesn't mind your waiting until you feel a bit better before you go to London to get the whole inheritance thing cleared up.

I've noticed that our wizards have been going at it hammer and tongs lately, too. I've never seen Lucius envy Severus for anything, but recently he asked me what I thought of having another baby. I might just do it. Of course, it makes it that much more important that we find out where the inheritance has gone. If we decide to add heirs to our family, he wants to maximize the sum of what they will inherit.

I'm so glad that you enjoyed your time on our little boat. I can assure you that when you are feeling better, you will discover many things about it that you haven't seen yet. We would be delighted to have you and Severus as our guests again, so I hope it will happen soon.

I have to go now. I hope you're having as good a time as possible. Your own little island sounds simply delicious.

Love to all,

Narcissa

Dear Katherine,

Of course I take the situation seriously. I fully intend to investigate Sylvia. I cannot do so at this time, however. She has taken an extended leave of absence.

I look forward to seeing you again. We can discuss this thoroughly when you are next in London.

Sincerely,

Kingsley

Katherine smiled over the letter she got from Narcissa and fumed over Kingsley's response to her note. She went on to open another letter. When she saw it, she went cold. Suddenly she ran to the bathroom with a moan. Her husband put his head in the door and saw the horrified look on her face.

Severus stepped over to the desk, scanned the note, and swore.

My Dear Mrs. Snape,

I wish to thank you for handling my case to its full completion. I had suspected that some of the wands would never be found or would be damaged, but they have all come back or been paid for.

Yesterday, I received payment, from an anonymous purchaser, for the Ash and Banshee-hair wand. Since it was the last outstanding item, I have forwarded both your percentage of its value and the additional fee for completing the entire task to your Gringotts account.

Thank you for taking on this job for me. I am delighted with the results and will unreservedly recommend you to all of my friends and acquaintances.

Yours &c,

Ollivander

A/N: There will be more action in the next chapters, as Katherine starts to feel a bit more like herself. Thank you for reading, and thanks to beta reader Trickie Woo!