An Interlude

Chapter 26: An Interlude

"Canary Cream," said Rowan; it would appear Professor Dumbledore was a fan of the Weasleys' shop. The gargoyle moved aside for her to reveal the spiral stairs, and Rowan rode up. As the door was partly open, she knocked at the doorframe.

"Yes, Miss Bourne?"

"You asked me to report to you when I had returned, Headmaster."

"Ah yes, is everything settled in the Muggle world for you now?"

"Pretty much. One of my mother's friends let me stay with her. She also helped with the funeral. I met with the solicitor; we've put the property on the market. The house is destroyed, but it was in a good location so the land is worth something. Also, the insurance company is paying the fire claim."

"Will you leave the money in the Muggle bank or transfer it to Gringotts?"

"I'm not sure. I'll leave it in the Muggle bank for now. You'll let me know if she needs anything? I can change to Wizard money, but I don't know how to get it to her. It's in my name, as her beneficiary, but of course, it is her money."

"Your mother is all right for now. She can't have her own Gringotts account since she is supposed to be deceased, but I will see that she has money of her own, if you will trust me with it?"

"Certainly, Professor."

"While we are discussing plans, have you given consideration to where you will live, as you can no longer go back to your own home?"

"I don't know what Professor Snape's plans are for after we are married. I haven't heard of any teachers' spouses living at the school; surely some of them are married?"

"None at the moment, but there have been married teachers in the past. The most usual arrangement is for the spouse to live in the teacher's home, which is connected via Floo to their living quarters. You would be welcome to eat in the Great Hall whenever you wished. During the summers, the castle is closed and all teachers return to their homes."

Rowan wondered suddenly what Severus' home could possibly be like. Before she could ask, Dumbledore continued.

"You should, of course, discuss the matter with Severus, but I believe his home has a tenant at the moment, and it would not be convenient for you to live there. You might consider renting a flat in Hogsmeade."

"That sounds like a good idea, thank you."

"I'll tell your professors you have returned and will recommence classes tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm ready to be back."

Dumbledore then called Professor Snape's office through the Floo to tell him that Miss Bourne had returned, and would Severus please come to his office for a moment?

Professor Snape stepped from the fireplace and greeted Rowan formally. Rowan wished they could have met in private, at least for a few moments. Stepping into his arms for his kiss didn't seem quite the thing in Dumbledore's office. She settled on a shy smile and returned his greeting, then repeated to him Professor Dumbledore's suggestion that she rent a flat in Hogsmeade.

"That would be best." Severus agreed. "I do have a home, but you would not care for my housemate. It is to be hoped I shall be rid of him before much longer, and then you may decide where you prefer to live. I don't have a strong attachment to the place; another would be equally satisfactory."

"I'm not sure how we could arrange to look at places. There isn't much time, and I have to catch up on all my classes from being away."

"You may choose as you see fit," Severus told her simply. "You will be spending far more time in it than I. When the lease is up, we can choose another together."

Rowan nodded, glad that Severus was putting the choice in her hands. She'd become accustomed to being responsible for such things while winding up her Muggle affairs, and she felt competent to handle the matter.

She made her goodbyes to Severus and Professor Dumbledore and returned to her dormitory to unpack her traveling things and get herself ready for classes.

Ariadne gave her a big hug as soon as she walked in and told Rowan her mother had owled her that the funeral service had been lovely and fitting Mrs. Bourne's memory.

"I'm glad your mum liked it. It was Connie really, my mother's friend, who put it together. They were close, and she knew just the music and readings to pick. She was afraid I'd be upset at first, but I told her I was so glad not to have to do it; she was a big help."

"I'm glad it went well. I've been dying for you to get back; I've got news," Ariadne told her with a grin.

"Good news? Spill it. I'd love to hear good news right now."

"The best news...Edgar and I are getting married."

"Really?" Rowan practically squealed.

"Yes, really," Ariadne said, shining. "This summer. It's going to be small; we don't want to wait to plan anything big. With things as they are, we just want to be sure we're together. But, you'll come, right?"

"Just tell me when and where," Rowan told her, grinning.

"And if you wanted to bring someone," Ariadne hinted broadly, "that would be fine too."

Oh my, that will be interesting, won't it? "I guess I might just; I'll have to let you know," Rowan teased.

"You'd better! I'll send you an owl. Or...Rowan, have you figured out yet where you are going to live after leaving? I think you could stay with us at our house for a while if you need a place. I'm sure my mother will agree."

"Thanks, Ari," Rowan said, giving her a hug, "but I think I won't need to. I'm going to take a flat in Hogsmeade and work on setting up a magical textile business. You can owl me there when you have the wedding plans set."

"It's a deal, Rowan."

Rowan spoke with each of her teachers in their offices to find out what she had missed and what she needed to do to catch up. It was natural, therefore, that she visit Professor Snape in the same way. There were two Potions labs she would have to make up...they might show up on her N.E.W.T. practical, so she should not miss the chance to practice. They agreed on a time when the classroom was available and neither were busy. There wouldn't be time to brew both potions at once; she'd do one tomorrow, and the other the next day.

Rowan came to the Potions classroom at the appointed time, ready to work. Severus stayed and supervised her while she brewed two potions. Rowan wasn't sure why at first, he didn't offer her any help. He didn't speak to her at all while she worked. As she was finishing the potion and was about to blurt out something, anything, to break the silence, he spoke.

"I missed you."

Rowan turned, stirring rod still in her hand. Quickly she wiped it to avoid dripping on the floor. "I missed you too," she answered quietly, but with shining eyes.

"Are you entirely comfortable, choosing a flat and making the arrangements yourself?"

"Yes, I think so, thank you. Only, I'm not sure how much I should be spending. The money from the house and the insurance is really my mother's; she'll likely need it at some point."

The potion was done. Rowan picked up a flask and transferred a sample into it. She placed it on the bench. Severus wouldn't be grading her, but he would give her written comments to help her on her upcoming practical exam.

"Don't be too concerned. I'm not wealthy, but I have lived very frugally. I don't believe anything you find in Hogsmeade will be beyond our means for the next year or two. After that, we'll see. Perhaps you will be keeping me," Severus told her, with a quirk of his lips that could only be a half of a smile. Rowan laughed, then quickly stopped...the sound of laughter from the Potions classroom would definitely make people wonder if anyone were walking by.

"Is there anything I can do, or get you?" Professor Snape asked her.

"Only what you want for yourself. I'm going to get myself new clothes, and I have to replace the loom and things that were burned with the house," Rowan said with a sigh.

"I'm very sorry about that."

"It's all right, they are only things. I can replace them."

"I'm sorry that I can't..."

"Can't what?"

"Take you out to dinner, or walking, or do anything couples generally do."

Rowan was surprised and touched. It would have been lovely to have a proper courtship and times like that, but it did seem incongruous with the rather stark man before her. Rowan smiled and walked to him, taking his hand in hers. "There's nothing stopping us later, is there?"

"There will be little time between my duties to school, and whatever the Dark Lord requires," he warned her, but let her continue holding his hand and placed his other hand over hers.

"I understand, but sometimes maybe?"

"Definitely." Still holding her hand in his, he kissed her gently. This time it did not deepen, but remained gentle. A quiet promise.

"I'd better go," she said, regretfully. "I'll be late for my dinner."

"Yes, it is getting late. Take care, Rowan."

Rowan had missed a Hogsmeade weekend while she was away, but she received permission from Professor Dumbledore to make a special trip to view flats with Professor Flitwick accompanying her. He did not look like an especially imposing bodyguard, but Rowan wouldn't have wanted to be the witch or wizard to cross him in a wand fight.

The real-estate agent showed her a cottage on the edge of town which was lovely, but she didn't want to take on that much housekeeping just yet. The first flat she saw was too close to the Hog's Head, and she didn't think she'd care for the clientele being that nearby, nor the smell of goat drifting up from the back.

The second flat was perfect; it was above Gladrags and faced the lake and Hogwarts. The flat was on the third floor and looked over the top of the smaller building on the other side of High Street. It had a view of the lake and the castle from the living room, and there was plenty of natural light for her weaving.

The first few days there, it would be rather bare ... she wasn't going to have time to buy all the things necessary to furnish it and set up housekeeping while still studying for her N.E.W.Ts.

She and Severus had discussed their plans after she had said she did really want to marry him. Okay, nodded that she wanted to marry him, Rowan laughed to herself. That kiss, it still gave her shivers, and she looked forward to more. They were marrying now by their own choice but had decided to do it as they had initially planned, just after leaving. The day after that, the court records would unseal and the news would break. Hogsmeade was a small town, and Rowan would be more comfortable if she was known to be married. This irked her. More than irked, but since she was going to marry him anyway, there was no reason to put it off just to be contrary. Her mother was supposed to be dead; there was no way to put on a big wedding. She might as well follow her heart without delay.

Rowan was in the Potions lab, working on the second of the two potions she'd missed. Professor Snape was overseeing while grading papers at his desk.

"Is this the right color, sir?"

"Not quite, I think you should add just a pinch more of the beetles."

Rowan did so, and the potion turned a deeper red. She noted the addition and the result. Severus rose from his desk and walked around to stand behind her and examine her cauldron more closely.

"Now it is right, very good. Let it cool and we'll test it."

Leaning closer to Rowan, Severus spoke low in her ear.

"There is something I've always wanted to do, if you would join me. Meet my by the front door at midnight."

Rowan could hardly breath, oh gods, that voice. "All right."

"Don't get caught, or you will get detention, and not with me," he warned her sternly.

She couldn't wait.

It was close to midnight and the Ravenclaw tower was silent. Rowan put on her cloak and tiptoed through the deserted common room. She went to the main stairs and slipped quietly down the wide curving marble stairs to the flagged stone floor of the entrance hall. Severus was waiting for her there, a blacker shadow than the rest.

Severus opened the great front door and held it for her as she passed through, then closed it silently behind himself. He took Rowan gently by the arm and, lighting his wand, led her down a side staircase to the underground harbor where the fleet of small boats used for the first-year students' arrivals were kept.

He took Rowan to one of the boats and helped her in, then seated himself beside her. It was awkward fitting two fully grown people into a boat that was made for four eleven-year-olds, but they found a more-or-less comfortable sprawl that would not put them in danger of tipping. Severus cast a Disillusionment Charm over them, in case anyone was awake and looking out at the lake.

"Forward," he said to the boat, which then slipped down the passageway to the lake opening. Rowan ducked her head as she felt ivy tendrils brush her face, then they were out on the still, black lake.

Snape murmured instructions to the boat that set it gracefully cruising, leaving the barest ripple on the glasslike surface. When he was certain all was working as it should, Snape drew Rowan under the warmth of his cloak.

Wordlessly, they looked up at the full moon. They admired its sparkling reflections on the water of the lake and the rooftops of Hogsmeade. The entire world seemed wrapped in a still and silent beauty. There was a cool earthy scent, carrying the perfume of the night blooming flowers.

The moonlight was bright enough to make out Snape's features when Rowan turned to him. "I never would have guessed you were a romantic," she said, smiling.

"I am not, but I do appreciate beauty. And silence."

Oh. Guess I should shut up then.

Idiot! "I meant," Severus said, "a castle full of children is a very noisy place."

Rowan laughed. "It must be, and even the dungeons can't be quiet with the Slytherins living there."

"Slytherins are thankfully quieter than most. Of course that is because they are almost invariably up to something."

"So just how Slytherin are you?"

"Very. And I am most definitely up to something," Snape said, drawing her closer to him and into his kiss.

Oh, my. Rowan felt her heart race and her stomach start to float away. She could just see his dark eyes in the moonlight when she managed to pry her eyelids open for a moment. It felt wonderful. She sank back into his kiss, reveling in the strength of his arms holding her. His passion, just held in check, the low growl he made as he kissed her, even the firmness of the erection she felt pressed against her didn't frighten her now. Not that there was really much to be frightened of in the little boat where they'd tip into the water if either of them shifted at all. Rowan sighed and kissed back, running the fingers of one hand in the hair at the nape of his neck, stroking the wool of his coat with her other. She drank in his scent which was captured and warmed in the cloak they shared.

Eventually, when they had made a slow circuit of the lake, Severus kissed her forehead and said, "The sun will rise soon; we have to go back."

"Unnh?" What Rowan lacked in coherence, she made up in languor. She wished the night could last forever. "We can't have been here all night."

"It is nearly June in Northern Scotland; the night is brief."

"Oh, right." She sighed and sat up. Rowan held Severus' hand and looked at his sharp profile in the light of the sinking moon.

Severus spelled the boat back to the harbor, then stroked Rowan's cheek and her hair as they rode. Stepping lightly out of the boat, Severus helped her out with a firm hand and walked her back to her tower in silence.