Samantha Part II

CHAPTER 10: Samantha Part II

It was difficult for Severus and Hermione to find time to build upon their growing friendship once term began. When Hermione was not conducting her own research in the library, she was tutoring students and aiding Professors Sinistra and Vector. She looked tired, but happy as she bustled into Snape's quarters every evening with her bag nearly bursting with books and stacks of parchments. Each evening she would leave her bag on the table by the door and join Severus and Andromeda at the table for dinner.

By far, the evenings were Hermione's favorite time of the day. She enjoyed hearing Andromeda talk about her day at the nursery school in Hogsmeade. (Severus had been quite against sending her to school in the village but he was finally convinced when Hermione took him down to visit the school and speak with the teachers.) Every day, Andromeda came home with new stories and crafts for her father and "Mummy Herminny." Severus would listen quietly as the two of them talked and looked over Andromeda's artwork.

After dinner, Andromeda would sit on the floor near the fireplace looking at her picture books and playing with her dolls. Severus and Hermione sat on the sofa grading papers or reading. Sometimes they would listen to the wireless or play games with Andromeda in the floor. It was during one of these nights when something quite exciting happened.

Severus was determined to teach Hermione how to play Wizard's Chess because he was getting bored playing Dumbledore and the not-so-annoying-after-all Professor Potter. Although she was extremely frustrated and annoyed that she didn't quite understand the rules and strategy of the game, Hermione was determined to stick it out. Andromeda was sitting at her side dressing her favorite doll when Severus claimed, "Check mate, Hermione."

"What! I don't understand that! Now, show me again. Here. Give it back," Hermione demanded, a little flush in her cheeks as she held out her hand for her king.

Before Severus could hand her king over, the chess piece zoomed out of his hand to land perfectly in Andromeda's. She smiled broadly and handed the piece to Hermione. "Here you go, Mummy Herminny."

Both Severus and Hermione were speechless for a long moment as they stared at the little girl, who was smiling as if nothing unusual had happened at all. Then, it seemed as if both Severus and Hermione pulled Andromeda into a warm hug. Hermione felt hot tears roll down her cheeks as she peppered the little girl's face with kisses. "How wonderful, Andromeda!" she said between hiccoughs. "Can you do it again?"

"Yes, 'Meda. See if you can do it again," Severus prompted, placing the king back in the middle of the chessboard.

Again the king flew into Andromeda's hand with ease. The bored look on her face indicated that she couldn't understand why her father and Hermione were so excited. She did it all the time with her dolls and toys at school. It was quite simple, really. She wanted the game piece and simply asked it to come to her. True, there was a warm, tingling feeling in the tips of her fingers, but that was the only unusual thing about it. Time and again, she summoned the king into her hand, much to their delight.

By nine o'clock that night, Andromeda had summoned the chess piece twenty times and taken her bath. Hermione helped her into her pajamas and carried her back to the sitting room, where Severus sat reading a copy of Potions Professionals. He smiled as they settled in next to him, Andromeda snuggling against Hermione's shoulder, clutching her stuffed rabbit. He put away the magazine and picked up a battered copy of Alice Through the Looking Glass. Opening the book to the page marked with a slip of parchment, Severus slipped his arm around Hermione and began to read.

Gampa Albus and Gamma Minerva were both very proud and excited to find out that Andromeda had done her first (they thought) bit of magic. A toy broomstick appeared in Snape's sitting room as a gift from Gampa Albus, which Andromeda was allowed to play with only when her father was nearby. Even though the toy rose barely three feet off the ground, it terrified Severus to see her zooming around on it. Andromeda's newly found "Uncle Harry" promised to teach her how to fly properly so that she could become the best Seeker that Hogwarts had ever seen. Gamma Minerva produced a necklace that Transfigured into a slow moving Snitch whenever Andromeda wanted to play with it. Hermione bought her a kitten from the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley, which Andromeda named Hatter after the Mad Hatter in Alice Through the Looking Glass. From that day on, wherever Andromeda went in the castle, Hatter was draped over her arm.

Much to Hermione and Severus's surprise, Andromeda continued to do magic with an unusual amount of control for someone so young. It was difficult for Severus to explain to his daughter that she wasn't allowed to do magic at nursery school anymore (having found out about zooming toys and nap mats from her teacher), especially after everyone made such a fuss over her learning how. Worried that Andromeda may accidentally hurt one of her classmates; Severus went to the school to talk to her teacher. He felt much better knowing that everything in the classrooms had a Cushioning Charm on them so that they couldn't hurt any of the children. And so, he allowed her to do magic at home, given that she didn't make Hatter go flying through the air.

~~~HG~~SS~~HG~~SS~~HG~~SS~~HG~~SS~~HG~~SS~~HG~~SS~~HG~~SS~~~

The autumn dawned on Hogwarts in a flurry of orange, red, and gold. The air in the castle became crisp and cool and the sky shone a brilliant blue. Each morning, Severus wrapped Andromeda in a sweater and walked her to the village for nursery school. He still didn't like leaving her there but she enjoyed it so much that he couldn't say no to her. He still missed Samantha terribly. He thought about her every time he passed the war memorial on his way to the village. It seemed as if Andromeda noticed this, for she held to her father's hand all the tighter as they passed it. Passing by the memorial so often made him crave Hermione's company more than he would care to admit. It comforted him to see her as they passed in the corridors, glad to see her make a point to smile and ask how he was holding up. It seemed that she was always smiling, no matter how tired or hurried she felt.

Hermione, however, was more tired than she had ever felt before and that was including the time with the Time-Turner in her third year. It was as if she was constantly running from one place to another, trying desperately to do her own work while aiding students and teachers with theirs as well. She was surprised that she made it through the day because she was usually awake by six in the morning and up late into the night reading. Sometimes she could sneak in a nap during lunch, and it was enough to get her through the day. She had even fallen asleep with Andromeda at night while Severus read to them. She had to admit, though, that it was nice being roused by the soothing sound of his voice.

It was of him that Hermione thought as she curled beneath the blankets at the end of October. The Halloween feast was the next evening and she was looking forward to seeing Andromeda's costume. She was going to be Alice. Hermione smiled at the thought of Severus sitting down in his chambers transfiguring a small set of robes into a bluebell dress with a white apron and stockings. She could see him sitting on the edge of his daughter's bed, straightening the bow at the back of her dress and brushing her black curls back into a blue ribbon. There was no denying that she loved that little girl and her father more than anything else she knew.

Near midnight, she finally drifted off to sleep only to find herself standing in a beautiful garden full of pink and silver roses, daisies, lilies, and tulips. A small fountain gurgled in the distance, birds chirped overhead, and butterflies fluttered around her head. A narrow stone path led throughout the garden, flanked by shaped bushes and shrubs. Hermione looked around and noticed the crumbling, unsupported archway hovering over the path. A silvery-blue veil hung from the archway and fluttered in an unseen breeze. Transfixed, she stared at the veil, finally understanding how Harry and Luna found the one in the Department of Mysteries so enticing.

The veil rustled as if caught by a strong gust of wind and Samantha Snape appeared, her auburn curls dangling over her shoulder and her eyes shining with the soft smile on her face. She approached Hermione quietly and held out her hand. "Hello, Hermione Granger. We meet again," she said softly.

For a long moment, Hermione was silent. She could feel warmth start to flow from Samantha's fingers into her own. It was an odd feeling that flooded over Hermione, a feeling of looking into a mirror with deliberate mistakes and distortions. She could see so clearly why Severus had fallen in love with the woman before her. She was breathtakingly beautiful and radiated warmth and joy.

"It's alright, Hermione," Samantha whispered, leading the younger woman over to a bench that had just appeared. "I know all of this must be very unsettling for you. Do not be discouraged; it was very difficult for Severus to understand as well. He wanted to fight so desperately, to cling to my memory and remain a widowed father for the rest of his days. But he has grown to realize that he will not dishonor my memory by loving another. On the contrary, it is what I want for him: to be happy and loved as he watches our daughter grow into a young woman."

After a few breaths, Hermione found her voice. "It is too soon for him to love me. He could never love me after loving someone has wonderful as you." Tears threatened to spill as Hermione felt her face go red.

"Oh no, my dear," Samantha replied warmly. "He has loved you for a very long while. He saw bits of you in me and pieces of me in you. He understands now that you and I are as much alike as we are different. Neither of you will show any contempt for me if you love each other.

"He loves you more than you may ever know, Hermione. You own more of his heart than I ever did. Severus needs you in his life, to help him raise Andromeda and to share his thoughts and passions. He is a very loving man who can be surprisingly sentimental. But he is also a very proud man. So take care of him, Hermione. I know you can, and I know that he will take care of you."

There was an amiable silence as the two women sat together. A soft breeze blew through their hair and rustled the veil nearby. Hermione drew a long breath and thought she saw some movement out of the corner of her eye. Finally she spoke. "I want so desperately to be with him, Sam. I love the person I am with him, with Andromeda. Does he really love me, truly?"

Samantha smiled softly and took both of the younger woman's hands in her own. "Yes, darling girl, he loves you very much. The bond of marriage lasts beyond the end of life, Hermione. It is almost like Legilimency. I can still feel Severus, and I know that he yearns for your companionship and your love." She kissed Hermione's hair softly. "Go to him, love. Go with my blessing."

The tears finally spilled over Hermione's cheeks. "Thank you, Sam. But what about you? What is it like... you know, being dead?"

Samantha smiled. "I am well taken care of," she said, her eyes flicking to the veil billowing nearby. Hermione's eyes followed and widened in surprise as a familiar form appeared. His thick hair blowing gently and a wide smile on his handsome face, Sirius Black sauntered over to them.

"Hello, Hermione," he said genially, looking between the two women. "Well, the geminus animae is really true, isn't it?"

Nodding, Samantha stood and put her arm around Sirius, who pulled her close. "Go on, Hermione. It's time to wake up." With a final smile, Samantha and Sirius turned and disappeared through the veil.

Hermione awoke abruptly, the watery morning sunlight shining though the curtained windows. The clock on the wall told her it was just past nine o'clock. She was certain Severus would be awake with Andromeda, having breakfast in his quarters. Quickly, Hermione climbed out of bed and dressed, throwing on an old jumper and jeans.

The corridors were silent as most of the students were outside enjoying some of the last good weather before winter set it. A few teachers were finishing breakfast in the Great Hall as Hermione crossed the entrance hall from the stairs leading up to Gryffindor tower. She hurried down to the dungeon, pulling her hair up in an elastic as she went. When she finally reached the door to Snape's quarters, she was flushed pink and out of breath.

"Severus," she panted, knocking on the door. A moment later, it swung inward to reveal Severus, still in his pajamas, and Andromeda, clinging to her father's leg.

"Hermione?" he said, his brow furrowing with worry. "What's the matter? Is everything okay?"

She smiled at him, taking in the concern in his fathomless eyes. Her heart drummed against her ribs as Samantha's words echoed in her mind. He loves me, she thought as comforting warmth spread through her. "I'm fine, Severus," she whispered. "Can I speak to you alone for a moment? Alone?"

He nodded, the confused look still clouding his features. Picking Andromeda up, he led Hermione inside to the sitting room. "Go finish your kippers, 'Meda," Severus said softly. "Hermione and I are going to talk in here, okay?"

Andromeda nodded, her black curls bouncing, and gave Hermione a strangely knowing smile before she trotted into the kitchen to finish her breakfast. Clearly puzzled as to what was wrong, Severus turned to Hermione and was startled to see a blissful look on her face. "You are scaring me, Hermione. What's the matter?"

There's no use beating around the bush, Hermione thought. "I had a very odd dream last night. A dream about Samantha."

It felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. She said it so matter-of-factly, so certain that it had been real. Of course, he knew it had been for he had had many similar dreams about his dead wife. "And?" he said stiffly.

Hermione led him over to the sofa and sat down, facing him. She was unsure where to begin. She felt lightheaded as the flood of affection for this man poured through her. "And it made me realize something very important about you." She paused and caught his gaze. "I've realized that I want to spend my life with you and Andromeda."

"What exactly are you saying, Hermione?"

"I'm saying that I love you, Severus Snape."

Notes from The Mistress: Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, but RL has intruded into my writing time. For those of you who don't know, my son was born a month ago. So it's been a time just adjusting to having a baby. I have the next chapter ready to post but it may be a while before I get the epilogue out. So please bear with me!