The Bravest Man I've Ever Known (A Severus Snape Fanfic)

Chapter 15

2 weeks after the wedding, the O.W.Ls were upon the 5th year students. Snape was in the great hall watching the 5th years take their written part of the exams. A ministry official will supervise the practical part of the exam, while Snape watches from the double doors. He walks up and down, watching them answers questions. As the last of the sand fell from the hour glass, Snape said, "Quills down." All the students put their quills down and waits as Snape pulls his wand out and waves it. All the parchments with their answers fly across the hall and lands on the table next to Snape. Snape said, "Stand against the walls." All the students move to stand against the wall. Snape moves the tables and chairs out of the way. Snape said, "All of you wait out in the entrance hall, while we prepare the practical part of the exam." The students goes out to the entrance hall and waits. The double doors close as 4 ministry officals come from the door behind the staff table. Snape sets 4 tables up with a cauldron on each one. Each table had ingredients and tools needed to brew a specific potion. Each ministry official stood in front of the table. Snape said, "Are we ready?" The ministry official nods. Snape goes outside and pulls out a scroll and unscrolls it. Snape said, "I will call you in, 4 at a time, to do the practical part of this exam. I wish you all the best of luck." Snape calls in the students 4 at a time and watches them do their practical exam. After a few hours, the last 4 students go in to brew a potion as part of their practical exam. As Snape watches them, an owl flies in and lands on his shoulder. Snape turns his head and looks at the owl. He stretches his arm so that the owl and sit on his arm. The owl moves from his shoulder to his arm. Snape gently takes the folded piece of parchment from its beak. The owl goes back onto his shoulder as Snape unfolds the parchment and reads:

Dear Severus,

How are you? I miss you, Severus. I hope you're doing well. I was wondering if I could visit you this evening. If you aren't busy of course. Say around 8pm? I hope that's alright. I get off work by then. I can take the floo, to your quarters. Please let me know by return owl.

Yours Truly,

Rose Sommers

Snape smiles, he and Rose have been writing to each other since they met at the wedding. Since then, they have gotten to know each other. He thought of her often and wondered if she thought of him as well. To find out that she wanted to visited him made his heart leap with joy. He rummages in his pockets and finds a quill. He presses the parchment against the wall and wrote underneath her letter:

Dear Rose,

I am well, thank you for asking, I miss you as well. I think of you often. Of course 8pm is fine. I'll be in my quarters. I'll have tea and sandwiches, when you arrive. I look forward to seeing you.

Yours Always,

Severus Snape

Snape refolds the parchment and holds it out for the owl to take. The owl takes it with its beak. Snape pets it and opens the door to allow the owl to go. The owl takes off, flapping its wings. It flies out of the doors and out into the sky. Snape watches it fly away, until the owl disappears from sight. Snape turns back to the students brewing their potions. He was looking forward to seeing Rose this evening.

Later that evening, he has a tea pot on the stove. A plate of sandwiches and 2 tea cups on saucers were already on the tray, along with a bowl of sugar, a spoon for the sugar, and a small little pitcher of cream. The teapot starts making a whistling noise. Snape takes the teapot off the stove and places it on the tray. He carries the tray to the living room and sets the tray on the coffee table. He wore his usual black robes with dragon-hide boots, but chose not to wear his cloak. Snape looks at the portrait of Lily and said, "How do I look, Lily." Lily giggles, "You look fine, Sev. Try to relax." Snape said, "I am trying. I'm nervous, sorry." Lily smiles, "It'll be ok. Don't worry." Snape said, "I hope so, Lily." All of a sudden the fire in his fireplace turns green. Snape gulps as a head appears in the fireplace. It was Rose. Snape looks at his clock. It was 8pm. Rose said, "May I come through?" Snape said, "Of course, by all means." Rose smiles, "Thank you, Severus." Snape smiles as her head disappears, to be replaced with her spinning body. Seconds later, Rose came out of the fireplace. Her hair was loose this time with only a red headband holding it back. She wore the robes that she wore to work. Snape thought she looked beautiful! Snape smiles, "Welcome to my quarters." Rose smiles, "Thank you, Severus." Rose looks around and said, "Small yet cozy. I like it." Snape said, "Thank you." Snape looks at Lily's portrait, then back at Rose and said, "Rose?" Rose looks back at Snape and said, "Yes, Severus?" Snape said, "May I introduce you to, Lily Evans Potter. Harry had a portrait made of her as a gift to me." Rose's eyes go wide as she looks up at the portrait. Lily smiles and waves at Rose from her portrait, "Hi Rose, How are you? I hope your well." Rose smiles, "Lily! I missed you so much since you left us. I'm doing well, thank you!" Lily smiles, "That's good to hear. I'm doing fine myself. I missed you too, Rose. I hope you like Severus. He really is a good man you know." Rose blushes, "I do like him, Lily. He's been very kind and nice to me. It's my first time seeing him since the wedding. We both have been very busy lately. I thought maybe we should meet again as it has been awhile." Snape's cheeks flushes slightly as he said, "I like you as well. I'm glad you could come and see me. We should see each other more often." Rose smiles, "I agree, we should, Severus." Lily said, "I'll leave you 2 alone. I need to see how Harry is doing since he's home now. Enjoy your evening you 2." Lily winks at them then leaves her frame.