When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 130: Return to Lady Slipper

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 130: Return to Lady Slipper

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

December 1998

Snowflakes fell upon him and he took a deep breath of the cool air. Winter was by far his favorite time of year and the perfect weather accompaniment to Christmas. It also brought happy memories for him now.

And as usual, that happiness was because of her. It began two years ago when he was hunting a lady slipper. When a furry orange cat guided its mistress to him. They started to speak as friends that day.

He was grateful that the landscape had remained almost the same after the Dark Lord's attacks. Snow covered the land and trees, making the area sparkle like tiny diamonds. In the distance, the lake was frozen over, the squid no doubt sleeping inside it. He took in another deep breath, ignoring his frozen nose and the pain spreading down his throat because of the winter air.

She would be here soon. He watched as the sun slowly drifted out of sight behind the mountains and the moon took its place.

His movements stopped when he reached the exact place where he'd been hunting that lady slipper. Today, he hoped another wonderful memory would be added to this spot.

He glanced out in the distance and saw no one was disturbing the snow. Much to his amusement, the only people he'd seen that morning was Miss Bastel and Miss Dutchess walking towards the greenhouses. He hadn't bothered to stop them since he figured it was part of whatever they were doing with the moss. Curiosity was overtaking him the more he saw them.

He felt something rubbing at his legs and looked down to see Crookshanks. The cat suddenly stopped rubbing and sprang away into the distance, the bell on his collar ringing out into the quiet evening. He looked in the direction and saw Hermione practically bouncing through the snow, enjoying the winter as much as he was.

"Severus." Her voice crossed the distance between them and his insides moved, strangling his stomach. He growled internally as his untamed nerves produced that nuisance on his own body.

His internal battle was interrupted by a collision against his robes. The white miniature flakes, spreading with the impact towards his uncovered skin.

What in the seven circles of hell?

He looked in the direction where the snow came from and saw Hermione suppressing a laugh. She had her lips covered with her gloved hands, but her eyes held surprise in them. Her familiar was looking at them with an intelligent amusement.

She rushed over to him and began cleaning the snow off him. "I'm sorry. I thought you had your defenses up like that day."

He laughed, and spreading his arms, he grabbed the sides of his cloak and embraced her, covering her body with it as she came closer. Feeling her forehead resting on his shoulder, he rested his chin on the top of her head, taking in her scent.

"You lower my defenses when you are at my side, witch."

"You know, I've wanted this for a while." Her murmur made him look from her wild curls, sending a silent question. "It looks like I'm in between your wings."