The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 18
Christmas Tidings

Claudia and company returned to her house in the country to spend the holidays there. Severus was teaching at Hogwarts and she received many letters from him. Mostly they were short and to the point, I miss you, can we meet? She still hadn\'t told anyone, other than Tonks, any concrete facts about her and Severus. There was an element of thrill about sneaking that they both enjoyed.
A week before Christmas, Claudia received a letter from Dumbledore asking if he can come by that evening. Even though he knew he had an open invitation, he always asked. Claudia wondered if it kept from having any awkward moments between her, Severus and himself. Her amulet was worn, as promised, all the time. It burned pink most of the time, however, she saw flashes of red throughout the day. It must be Harry, she thought. No one person was able to tick Severus off more than that kid. She didn\'t understand it, but she felt that that was her lovers one flaw. To allow a child to get under his skin like that.

Dumbledore arrived, as promised, that evening just after dinner. He was greeting merrily with handshakes and Rod tried to give him a high five.

\"Dumbledore, can I get you something to drink?\" She asked.

\"Wine, if you have it.\" He said as he settled down into a chair.

\"If we have it? My dear man, I have with me the finest of Italian wines.\" Antonio said and he hurried off to the kitchen to fetch it. Everyone else waited for his return and he poured Dumbledore a glass. He waited until Dumbledore sipped it and Antonio put the tips of his fingers to his mouth and kissed. \"Excellent, no?\"

\"Yes, wonderful thank you. I have some very distressing news that I received. It seems I have a very vague idea as to whom Voldemort wants dead. Among others, including myself, he is trying to kill our Minister of Magic. At first, I thought perhaps it was the muggle Prime Minister. But alas...I think it is poor Cornelius Fudge.\"

\"You have a minister of magic?\" Chester asked.

\"Yes! Poor man, wouldn\'t know his head from a pumpkin if asked. However, I still find that many people would be quite lost if he were murdered.\"

\"So you think Hernandez and Azi are going to kill...Fudge?\" Claudia asked.

\"I believe so. I guess we will not know for sure until we get more evidence.\"

\"You want us to go after Hernandez soon, am I right sir?\" Bones asked. Dumbledore held his glass and inspected his wine.

\"I will ask you to do nothing. This is all very dangerous business, wizard wars. I do not claim to have any authority over you. All I ask is that you consider helping our cause until you decide that you can not.\"

Claudia thought that Dumbledore couldn\'t have said it better. Everyone was eager to show their support, none more so than Zulu. Ever since London, Zulu and Remus had been so close. It was nice to see Zulu actually enjoy someone\'s company other than Nicks.

\"Dumbledore, we are with you, you know that. We all have emotions at stake now with you and your world. We will be there until the bitter end. Whatever that may be.\" Claudia said. The guys nodded in agreement and Dumbledore, for the first time, looked at a loss for words. She did however see Dumbledore give the oddest look. She wondered if he realized that she had the amulet and that he could no longer use magical means to read her mind.
A few days before Christmas, the gang was trying to help Claudia relax. Claudia was having a terrible hard time with Emma being gone, so the guys tried to cheer her by singing holiday carols, but inserting naughty words in as needed. Severus came a few times, but she got the impression he didn\'t want to be around all of her friends just yet.
It was early morning when Claudia was awakened by a owl on her bed.
\"Well hello.\" She said as she untied the letter. She read her name and opened it.
\"Oh no...\" She scrambled from bed and went to rouse the others from sleep. The kitchen was full of sleepy eyed, tussle haired people waiting with angry faces to hear what the bit news was.
\"You remember Arthur Weasley?\" Everyone said yes. \"He was attacked last night. Something about a snake biting him, attacking him more like it. The snake belongs to that Dark Lord person, Voldemort.\" Livid. That was the best way to describe the reactions at the table. Arthur had turned into a fast friend to all present, none more so than Chester. He took this bit of information badly.
\"Will he be ok?\" Chester asked. His voice was shaking.
\"Yeah, I think so. But this is what we are up against guys. People who sick snakes on people. This is too crazy.\"
\"This is terrible magic. We are truly not prepared for something like this.\" Zulu said. No one answered, because they knew. This business of Dementors and attacking snakes was getting overwhelming. Give them a bad guy with a bomb any day. But this?
Christmas day proved to be an excellent affair. Arthur was doing great and all was well. Claudia even received a letter from Severus saying he would be by the house for dinner. Wow, she thought. And he did come. He showed up at the door, much to Nick\'s surprise when he opened it. They sized each other up for a moment and then Claudia interrupted the macho show down.
\"Merry Christmas Severus.\" She said as she pulled him away from Nick. They shared wine and laughter over dinner. A spectacular feast prepared by Antonio and Claudia. Turkey, dressing, ham, potatoes, vegetables, bread and pumpkin pie. Severus seemed to love the food too. He complimented the chief, which immediately won Antonio over.
\"So Severus, what do you do?\" Rod asked him.
\"I teach.\" He answered. Everyone had gone quiet and Claudia suspected they had planned this bit of sabotage from the beginning.
\"What do you teach?\" Rod asked. He was sitting straddling the chair and sipping wine.
\"I teach potions.\" Severus answered meeting Rod\'s gaze.
\"Potions? What, like love potions? Can you make me a potion to get more mojo?\" They all fell over laughing at this little joke. Claudia waved her hands and said, \"that\'s enough boys.\" Severus however seemed to see that it was all in fun and allowed himself a small smile. Nick sat with Zulu in the corner eyeing both Claudia and Severus. She was aware of them whispering to each other, and she would have given her right arm to know what they were saying.
As if he knew, Nick came over and whispered in Claudia\'s ear.
\"We like him. He is good.\" Claudia felt her face redden and Nick tussled her hair and walked away. She made herself busy buy collecting dishes and Severus was actually talking to Zulu. She didn\'t know what they were saying, but it seemed the conversation was going well.
When she finished clearing all of the dishes, she went over to Severus.
\"Fancy a walk?\" She asked. He nodded and downed his remaining wine. They slipped outside and when they were far enough away, she slipped her hand in his.
\"Thank you for coming tonight. I\'m happy you\'re here.\" He grunted an agreement and they walked in silence for a bit.
\"Headmaster Dumbledore wishes me to teach the little prat Potter Occlumency this term. I fear I will be able to spend less time with you for awhile.\" He said.
\"Oh? This have anything to do with the attack on Arthur?\" He nodded. \"I take it you are not looking forward to one on one time with Harry?\" Claudia smiled.
\"To say the least. Arrogant, cocky little-\" She cut him off.
\"Severus, do you have any idea how silly it is to hate a child? I mean, I know about you, Sirius and James and really honey, it is sad that you are taking it out on his kid.\" Severus just sneered and Claudia let out a little laugh. No matter his flaws, she loved him madly. She felt the amulet next to her skin, under her blouse and she pulled it out. It glowed pink. Severus saw her looking at it and stopped walking. The moonlight shone brightly above them as they stood underneath a tree. Claudia leaned back against it and smiled.
\"I have missed you.\" She said.
\"And I you.\" He stepped closer to her and pulled his amulet from under his robes. His shone a bright pink as well. Slowly, Claudia pulled Severus close to her for a kiss. His kisses were magical. Wrapped tightly in his arms, she felt as if the whole world was nonexistent and it was just the two of them. She felt like they were two teenagers, sneaking kisses in the moonlight. They were interrupted by a voice coming from poolside.
\"Oh Amore under the stars? Si, it is a good night for it.\" Antonio said. Claudia groaned and Severus actually smiled.
\"Well, I guess it\'s up.\" The walked arm in arm onto the porch just in time to hear Antonio making an announcement.
\"My friends, apparently some of us are enjoying nature tonight. A little amore is in the air!\" Hoots and cat calls sounded and Claudia was mortified. She peaked a glance at Severus and saw him already looking at her. He shrugged his shoulders and kissed her cheek.
\"Mi amore.\" He whispered. Claudia laughed and they walked back into the house. Everyone was smiling and Rod and Bones applauded. What surprised Claudia the most was seeing Remus there sitting with Zulu. Remus had a sad smile on his face and Claudia had a pang of sorrow hit her at seeing him. She knew he was sad for his friend, and she was sure he knew about what happened between her and Sirius the night at Grimmauld Place.
All in all it was a Merry Christmas. When Claudia went to bed, she found a package for her on her pillow. It was small and wrapped neatly in blue paper. She sat on the bed and opened it to reveal a beautiful silver ring. It was ornately carved and held in it one pink diamond. There was a note that read:

Claudia-

I thought you could use something to match your amulet. Please take this ring with the promise that when all of this is over, we shall never have need of secrecy agian. My wish, is to be the man you think I am. I hope when I am finished, I am still worthy of you and your love.

Yours forever,
Severus Snape

She sat and waited until the tears stopped flowing. She slipped the ring onto her finger and felt it reshape itself to fit her hand. Oh, a magic ring too, she thought. It made her gift of a few books and a shirt seem silly. How could anything be bad in the world, when someone loves you so much?
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A/N: Please review.