ℒℯ𝓈𝓈ℴ𝓃 ℴ𝒻 ℒ𝒾𝒻ℯ 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓮

❤︎𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓽𝔀𝓸 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓸𝓮𝓼, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓲𝓻 𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭❤︎

I hold my hand over my mouth and close my eyes momentarily as soon as I have solid ground beneath me. The journey across the flea network and the warm, stuffy air of the building intensify my slight nausea. I feel a hand on my lower back, supporting me. I silently count to ten before straightening up and stretching my shoulders.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Professor Snape. Madame Snape. It is an honour to welcome you to the International Potions Congress."

Smiling, I take the hand offered to me. My husband does the same. Albeit with a somewhat less cordial expression than mine. I observe the man in front of us more closely. Orlando Cooper is an American watering master whom I once saw during my studies. He gave a guest lecture at the magical University of London. On the subject of the benefits and efficacy of healing potions. The tall man of rather gaunt build gives the impression less of a potions master than an auror, but he knows his field well.

"A potion that can remove traces of black magic is a sensation. It was never thought possible that it could really work. Professor, Madame. The magical world owes you a great debt of gratitude."

I feel Severus stiffen beside me and unobtrusively let his gaze wander around the room. Silence has reigned in our world for seven years now, and yet Severus hates too much attention around his person and crowded rooms. Grinning, I take Severus' hand and follow Cooper down the hall to a table a little away from the crowds. The top one hundred potions masters from around the world have gathered today, here in London, to update each other on the latest research and to forge new projects and alliances. A small, rather rotund wizard approaches and comes to stand beside Severus.

"Madame Snape. Professor."

Smiling, I extend my hand to my former Potions professor at the University of London.

"Professor Granderson. I am pleased to see you here again."

Professor William Granderson is an older man that half the campus feared. Probably still does. And always will until he retires. Much like Severus, he can become quite spiteful should he be provoked, which was especially frightening to those who hadn't gone to Hogwarts before and weren't used to this harsh tone.

"I figured right away that you could do great things, Madame Snape. Your potions skills have always been far above those of your fellow students, and that despite the fact that you didn't study potions, but became a healer. St. Mungos is lucky to have you as its chief healer."

Smirking, I tilt my head and let my gaze wander for a few seconds to Severus, whose black eyes scrutinise my former professor intently.

"Actually, my husband had the idea and had been researching it for several years as well. He undoubtedly bears the greater credit for its success."

Professor Granderson turns to Severus and nods appreciatively.

"Yes. I have heard that. I have never before seen a man whose talents in Potions could approach your husband's."

I can tell by the look on Severus' face that he is uncomfortable with Granderson's praise. He's not comfortable with being the centre of attention, or getting attention for his achievements. He never has and probably never will again. Before Professor Granderson can say another word, Severus takes the initiative and gently pushes me forward.