"Ancient Runes" a Severus Snape ff - Snape x OC

Chapter 32

"You're packing already?" Minerva asked friendly as she entered Lysanna's room.

"Yes, I will be leaving tomorrow. as soon as the school year officially ends." Lysanna answered wistfully. The past two weeks had almost been worse than the weeks before. After the meeting at the boathouse and the nightly conversation, there wasn't a second that went by that she wasn't punishing herself for her own stupidity. The burden of not only being responsible for her own suffering, but also for having broken Severus' heart weighed heavily on Lysanna's shoulders. He was surprisingly normal with her, but he was also a master at shutting down his emotions and showing no outward emotion even when he was down on the inside. For Lysanna, every encounter in the hallways, at mealtimes, every word she had to exchange with him was a fight against tears. She couldn't look at him, didn't manage to hold his gaze for more than a few seconds. Fortunately, her colleagues, especially Minerva and Albus, hadn't asked any questions so far. While it was obvious that she was talking to Severus again, there were no curious questions.

"It's a real pity. I sincerely hope that the ministry will welcome you with open arms. You know how much things can change there in just a year." Minerva stated. Lysanna had already had these thoughts herself, but no matter what awaited her there, she would master it.

"I will find out soon enough. But what should have really changed? The Ministry is still the Ministry.", Lysanna replied with a wry smile and packed the last of her own books into the suitcase. There were so many more books on the shelves of her room and office that she'd wanted to read, but she just hadn't gotten around to them over the year.

"We will all miss you here dear. But you know that.", Minerva struggled for composure, apparently Lysanna's farewell seemed to really affect her.

"I know. I will also miss all of you. Hogwarts really is something very special, almost like a family. I'll miss that.", Lysanna couldn't hold back the tears any longer, the farewell made her very sad, now that it was so imminent, and she wasn't so sure anymore if it really was the right decision.

"I am really grateful to you for making this year possible for me here. It was an experience I wouldn't want to miss and you all really grew dear to my heart. Some maybe even a little too much..." Lysanna hadn't really wanted to say the last sentence out loud, but now that she had said it, her feelings got the better of her. She had to sit down.

"Oh Lysanne. I'm sorry." Minerva sat down next to her niece on the sofa and put an encouraging arm around her. Lysanna had no intention of telling her aunt the whole story.

"You know, Albus made me a very generous offer." Lysanna changed the subject, wiping the last tear from her eyes.

"He said I was always welcome here and he would always find me a place if I ever changed my mind. So I wouldn't rule out that I won't eventually find my way back here. Well, if I get too busy at the Ministry." Lysanna explained with a wistful laugh.

"You have made an impression here. But I understand your decision and even if you don't come back to work, you are always welcome to visit me for a glass of wine.", with these words Minerva had to say goodbye to Lysanna. There was still a lot to be organised for the students' departure.

Lysanna stowed the rest of her few personal belongings in the suitcase and then got ready for dinner. The last big feast before the end of the school year. Tomorrow morning she would start the journey back to London and turn her back on Hogwarts.

The great hall was beautifully adorned, as always, when Lysanna entered the room. The ceiling was dotted with innumerable stars, for the night outside was clear. She sat down in her chair at the teacher's table one last time. The others were already present, Severus sitting next to her, expression blank, as if he hadn't even noticed her coming. His way of handling the emotions didn't exactly make Lysanna feel any better. It almost felt like her first few days here, when he'd just completely ignored her existence.