C'est La Vie: Hogwarts

Chapter Thirty-Three

(Birthday Wishes: pt. 2)

He leaded her down the snowy hill path and towards the frozen lake. After the heavy snow storm during the day, the night brought nothing but clear skies. The moon, large and new covered them in a silvery light, guiding them safely to where they needed to go. The stars, bright and twinkling spread across the ink colored sky, creating a beautiful scene for what was going to transpire tonight. As their snow boots crunched in the snow, Desdemona couldn’t stop smiling.
She felt like a teenager again, sneaking out for a late night snogging session with some guy. Only this time, Severus came up with the idea and they were being very conspicuous about it. She loved it when he had his random moments of thrill seeking naughtiness.

Now, if only he would tell her where they were going on their late night rendezvous, she would have properly dressed for the occasion. It was still her birthday, with two good hours to spear. She didn’t find her nightgown to be proper attire, especially when her hair was pinned up and no makeup donned her pale face.
He was rather hastily about them leaving, waking her up from a sounding nap. Nevertheless, it also explained his lack of proper attire also. Black trousers and heavy sweater isn’t something many people seen him in. Black billowing robes is the attire the students and staff associated him with. Desdemona herself rarely saw the man dress down, use to his dark wardrobe for years.

She wondered if he was cold, seeing how she wore her teaching robes over her nightgown and her old school scarf to keep her neck from the chill. Her ears were covered with his gray earmuffs, saying something about the temperature dropping and what not. Still, she felt like his under dressed, barely wearing anything to keep himself warm, even though he did wear a heavy sweater.

Desdemona mind wandered so far, she didn’t realize they reached the edge of the lake and was in a tiny clearing not far from the entrance of the forest. Blinking, she looked around her surroundings, noticing how eerie the branches looked without their leaves and how colder it got without the thick protection from them.

She turned to Severus. “Why did you bring us out here?”

Letting go her hands, he walked about the clearing. “I thought it would be nice to have a change of scenery.” He replied.

She pulled her robe closer, her arms slightly chilly, but she didn’t complain. “Well yes, the scenery is lovely, especially at night.” She admitted, looking up through the scattered branches to peer lovingly at the moon.
She loved gazing at the moon; something about it left her feeling tranquil. Her dreams always revolved around the moon and the stars and if she didn’t love potions so much, she would have study Astronomy.

Severus paused in his stroll to stare at her. He still couldn’t believe that she returned to Hogwarts after all that has happened. He found it hard to comprehend his emotions and feelings towards the woman. He knew, for years he loved her. He watched her grow, from a little girl new to the world of magic into a woman who made something of herself. He’s been around when she needed him the most, award ceremonies, Potion seminars, recitals and art galleries. When they broke up, he still watched out for her. Somehow, she became his world, his life, and he found it difficult to live without her beside him.

Yes, they have their moments, like today in her office. After the nice debate with Potter, they settled down for some tea and sweets, chatting about old times and possibly new ones. She would tell them stories about her childhood before Hogwarts, adventures in the orphanage she lived and the crazy magic she conjured up. She expressed passionately her dreams and goals, the ones she believed still had time to accomplish. She even told them about her latest research with the French Ministry and the possibility of a breakthrough about healing those who were affected badly during the Second War. When asked about her career as a performer, she went into full explanation and the conflicting situation about continuing. All of this and more she spoke and he listened, interested in knowing the life after they ended.

Throughout her reminiscing, she would look down at her left hand and wiggle her fingers; the small smile upon her longing face would appear. That’s why Severus brought her out here today, deciding to give her that last piece of happiness she deserved. The tiny box in his pocket weighted heavily than the burdens upon his shoulders.
First, before he asked her to be his, he needed to clear some things, reveal secrets he swore to keep hidden under lock and key until his dying day. Inhaling deeply, he filled his lungs with the crisp winter’s air and walked briskly back to her side.

Desdemona attention drew away from the moon when she felt Severus returned to her side. When she looked into his dark eyes, she noticed the trouble within the orbs. Frowning, she reached out to him, her dainty fingers brushing against his whiskered cheek. Tilting her head slightly, she asked him what’s on his mind.

Covering her hand with his, he cast his eyes downwards, not wanting her to see the shame that also reflected within them. He felt strange, expressing himself in a way that doesn’t have an association to anger and hate. Maybe it’s something about her that makes him feel more than the usual detach feeling he walked around with for years. Even when Lily was alive, she didn’t make him feel like this. His love for the decease woman still remains in his heart, but the love he felt for Desdemona is deeper.

Merlin, he really loathed the idea of emotions.

“Severus…what’s wrong?” Her soft, melodious voice called out to him, concern lingered in her tone and her eyes reflected the worry she felt.

Another deep breath was necessary and when he looked up at her again, he gasped lightly. Filtering through the branches, the silvery moonlight returned, casting her in an ethereal glow. An angel, he thought, gazing upon her small form, only she would look like something he didn’t believe in.

“Would you believe I’m feeling guilty, about a lot of things?” He asked her, his voice heavy with the burdens that continued to weight his shoulders.

She started to worry more, knowing about the darkness that lingered within him. Since they’re first union, she what she was getting into. So many people (mainly McGonagall and Dumbledore) warned her about making the choice in going out with Severus, but she refused to listen to such negativity. She knew what she was getting into, she understood the dangers of dating a Death Eater. However, she was happy and Severus was happy, and together they made the best of it until the end. Four years they’ve been together and when times suddenly prove to be hectic, they ended it. That was a year before the war started.

Now, after everything ended and wizard world returned back to normal, they had a chance to rekindle their broken relationship. For three solid months, they’ve talked, laughed, and simply enjoyed each other’s company. They didn’t think about the past, only focused on the present, and spoke about the future. So she can understand his concerns up to this point, they were moving forward fast and it scared him shitless just thinking about it.

Sometimes, without the dreams of marriage interfering with reality, it scared her too.

“What are you talking about?”

“There are some things you must know, things I have kept from you and shouldn’t have.” He removed her hand from his cheek and held it in a firm grip.

She sighed. “Severus, if this is about the past, I understand the reasons why.” She stated gently.

He shook his head. “I’m not speaking about my past as a Death Eater; I know we talked about that.” He said, not caring for that aspect of his life anymore. “I’m talking about Lucius.”

She quirked a brow at that one, fully understanding the guilt he felt now. “You can’t be serious? Are you still on that?”

“I know he told you something, and I want to explain.”

She rolled her eyes, completely finding this humorous. “Severus, you don’t have to explain what went on between you and my cousin. It happened, we were broken up, and I cannot hold it against you.”

“Did he tell you why?”

Finding this annoying, she did not agree to come outside to discuss past affairs in the cold. By now, her arms were turning blue. “Yes, he told me why and also about the sick perverted fantasies involving me. That’s all nice and dandy, but there’s no need to feel guilty for pleasure.”

His expression changed quickly after she revealed what he wanted to know. “Oh, I know…just wanted you to tell me what the bastard told you that’s all.” He knew he was too smart for her. She probably thought he forget about their last conversation on the subject, but instead he’s been waiting for the right moment to make her spill.
Who knew the coldness would make her sing like a canary?

Glaring at him, she used her other hand to punch him in the arm. How could she fall for something like that? “You brought me outside to confess the fact I know you’re bisexual?” She couldn’t be angry with him, but she was pretty miffed. The smile did give away her amusement behind the act.

Nevertheless, she felt that was too cold for her to linger outside longer than necessary. Her thin clothes could only do so much against the cold. The wind apparently refused to let up on its wild chase within the night, black strands brushed against her cheek from the force.

Chuckling, he couldn’t help it. She made him feel like this, almost carefree and joyous. He finally felt the need to laugh as long as she was there with him. There are many of things Severus refused to do unless she was beside him. He had a reputation to keep, but for one chance to see her smile is worth a minor drop in his persona.
Deciding the moment of fun and games were over, his expression became serious. “Alright, I best be quick while I still have the chance.” He muttered to himself, but she heard his words.

Confused by what he meant, she started to ask when she saw the man drop to one knee. Her words stopped short and her eyes widen. When they met with the dark brown many people doesn’t realize are the true color of his eyes, her mind register everything that was happening.

Severus Snape, on one knee in the cold snow was about to make her wildest dream come true.

She wanted to pinch herself. This was too strange, even for the man.

Finally finding the words to communicate, they barely reached passed the level of a whisper. “Severus…please tell me you’re playing another trick?”

He shook his head, the seriousness did not falter by her disbelief. Tonight, he was going to make this woman his. He lost her once and regretted the decision, but after carefully thinking about it and listening to the hints she keep dropping, he felt the need to do this now to be crucial. Who knows what might happen to them in the next twenty or thirty years?

Right now, he wanted this moment to be special and the box in his pocket poked him in agreement. First, he needed to tell her how much she means to him…in fewer mushy words possible. He wasn’t a romantic and will never be. “It’s not a trick, but I need to you listen to everything I say before proceeding.”

Nodding, she wanted to be eye level with him, so she went on her knees also. “I’m listening.” She breathed lovingly, brushing the few stranded strands of hair from her face. She wanted him to see her expression when he asked, not the black curtain that tried to cover it.

Rolling his eyes, he sighed deeply. He wasn’t good at the whole feeling expressing thing, but for her it was worth a try. Besides, if she laughed, he would make her life miserable for the reminder of their life together. Helping her with the hair situation, he pushed the strands behind her ear as he started his loving speech. “You truly are something, but that’s what I like about you. From the moment I met you as a little girl, I saw potential in those tiny gray eyes that stared at me with fright. As I watched you grow, you became something more than just a dunderhead student, but turned into a brilliant student and an excellent performer. The day you asked me to become my apprentice, I thought you were joking, seeing how you enjoyed making my life a living hell.

“That’s what I found attractive about you, the determination you expressed whole heartedly in everything you did or do. When you finally expressed your feelings towards me, I felt that our union was somehow…perfect. Since that day, I tried my hardest to become the man you want me to be and the lover you need me to be.” By now, tears were flowing down her cheek, but he continued. “I don’t know what it is about you, Desdemona Evans, but I never met a woman with the kind of persona like you have. It’s both amazing and scary. People love you, you’re talented in both performance and potion, you live your life in the now instead of the past. Hell, you accepted me as a spy and a Death Eater where most people would only see me as some murderous creature that needs to be put behind bars.”

She chuckled at the part, wiping her tears away. Her attempts were futile as usual, seeing how this was an emotional moment and the tears were suppose to fall.

Severus, amused by her pride took her hand away. He wanted to see her tears, notice the red in her cheek and nose, and hear the small sniffle she did contently. This is what he needed to have, her emotions unstable to do this.
Bad enough he was nervous, though he didn’t show it.

Slipping his unoccupied hand into his pocket, he produced the tiny box that been waiting patiently to make its arrival. Releasing her other hand, he took deep breathes to calm the summersaults his stomach was doing now that they reached this part of the evening. Severus carefully pried the lid open to reveal a stunning diamond solitary surrounded by the velvet holder. He looked into her eyes, gray orbs glistened beautiful in the silver light from the casting moon.
What he saw was not only beauty, but love.

Love that only a man and a woman can share with one another, happily if possible.

Holding it up for her to see, the moon offered a little light. The diamond shimmered around the white gold metal. Only the best for her, she deserved nothing less. “I know we just resumed our relationship, but I never believed it ended. We love each other, no matter how horrible our flaws are, we can see pass all of that.” Removing the ring from its box, he held it between trembling fingers. Grabbing her hand once more, the left one, he slipped the band around her ring finger. “Desdemona Helena Evans, will you do be the honors of marrying me?” He popped the question.

She took a deep, shaky breath. Her eyes drew towards the ring, feeling all the happiness her tiny body could muster. “Merlin…yes, I will marry you Severus.” She let out a watery reply, her face completely wet and cold from the down pour of tears and up sweep of the wind.

Just to show she meant it, she threw herself at him. Her arms tighten around his neck and body pressed against him. Burying her face into his chest, she broke down.

Her sobs echoed within the night sky, tears of joy greeted his ears in a blissful melody.
Holding her he smiled. “Happy Birthday, Desdemona.” He whispered lovingly, enjoying the sound of her bawls.

She couldn’t even speak, words proved to be useless.

Today was the best birthday she ever had and one she will never forget…