An Unlikely Savior ~ (Edit) COMPLETED

“HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!”

The Weasleys and Potters all cried out in celebration, Molly leading them in singing “Auld Lang Syne” as the children all crowded around George, who started lighting the fireworks.

They knew to run when he did.

The fireworks all blasted off bright and sparkling, turning into shapes and animals, spinning, whirling and eventually charging at the revelers who all screamed in delight. Well, mostly. Arthur shot straight for the house not wanting to encounter any more robe-burning dragons.

Alsop, James and Albus were having a ball putting out the attacking fireworks with their wands, as were the others. Hugo ran up to George, the top of his head smoking from a very close encounter with a flying monkey firework. He eyed the big cylinder-shaped firework. It was at least six feet across and five feet high.

“Are you going to light it, Uncle George?” he asked his uncle excitedly.

”Yeah, I am, Hugo, but first everyone has to gather around.”

Hugo ran around the yard and into the house, hurrying everyone around George, including his very reluctant grandparents.

”George, I swear if this firework comes after me, it’s you that’s going to get it,” Molly said. Everyone else grumbled in agreement.

”Oh, don’t worry about that,” George said, lighting the wick. “This one is just for show.”

The wick lit, then shot up to the firework’s content. Nothing happened.

”Looks like it’s a dud, George,” Charlie said, shaking his head.

”No, just wait,” George replied.

Suddenly there was a rumbling sound and the ground began to shake as the top of the firework popped off. Weasleys and Potters stumbled about, clinging to each other as the equivalent of an earthquake shook the Burrow.

A sparkling red nosecone appeared, rising out of the top, followed by a larger second white section. It was enormous as it continued to rise, lighting up the entire area.

”Wow! A rocket!” Hugo exclaimed. “It’s huge.”

And it was huge. At least seven stories high as it stood sparkling in the night.

”You’ve outdone yourself this time, George! It’s simply marvelous!”

”Just wait,” George said, “but back up.”

Everyone did that just as the rocket blasted off, rising into the sky slowly then picking up speed, fiery sparks issuing from its tail. Everyone watched fascinated as it headed toward the horizon.

”Is it going to fly away?” Lily asked, just as the rocket turned and flew back toward them, very fast. Too fast in fact. Actually, it was headed right for them.

”Oh Merlin! It’s heading straight for us! George!” Molly cried.

”Run!” George yelled, running away from the Burrow as the rocket zoomed closer.

Everyone ran for their lives, yelling as the rocket flew straight for the Burrow and connected, the house exploding into rubble, leaving nothing but a broken foundation.

”Oh my gods! My house!” Molly screamed, then turning and drawing her wand on George, who was backing up, his blue eyes wide. “You destroyed our home! How could you be so stupid, George?”

Everyone looked from the smoking remains of the Burrow toward George. Hugo and Lily stared at him. Boy, was he going to get in trouble for this one. Rose’s hand was clasped over her mouth in horror as she looked at her uncle.

Alsop let out a low whistle and shook his head, as James and Albus stood stiffly, too shocked to move. The Burrow was gone?

Harry, Ron, Charlie, Bill, Fleur and Ginny were also speechless. Arthur stood with his hands outstretched, an astonished look on his face. Everything they owned was in that house. Everything. Even the money Molly had stashed away. Gone, all gone.

“I knew one day he’d blow something up,” Percy said with a bit of satisfaction that made everyone scowl at him before looking back at George.

George slowly began to smile and pointed back at the house.

”It’s really not that bad,” he said.

Molly was furious.

”What do you mean it’s not that bad? Your rocket destroyed it! George, you irresponsible—“

”Molly? Molly, look at the house,” Arthur suddenly said.

”What?” she replied, turning around and staring, her mouth dropping open in disbelief.

The Burrow was standing there, as crooked as ever. Hugo burst out laughing, as did everyone else, mostly in relief. It had just been an illusion.

”George, you prat!” Charlie yelled, then charged him, but George ran, pursued by all his brothers and Harry into the night.

Hugo, Lily and the rest of the younger Weasley clan ran after them to see what would happen when they caught him.

”Get him!” Molly cried after them, smiling as Arthur slipped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed it affectionately.

”We raised quite a rascal, didn’t we, Molly?” he asked her, kissing her temple.

Molly chuckled.

”Yes, we did. Two rascals actually,” she said softly, her eyes suddenly turning sad as she looked up at the night sky.

“Happy New Year, Fred, wherever you are.”

“Here’s right here, Molly,” Arthur said gently, pressing his hand against her heart. “He’ll always be right here.”


************************************

Snape and Odessa Apparated to the Ministry, Odessa wide-eyed at all the glitz, officials and dignitaries as they were announced, many heads turning in shocked surprise to see Severus Snape among them after all these years. Harry, Hermione and Ron used to attend the balls early on, but stopped once they began to have children.

”Who is that woman with him?” people whispered as they eyed Odessa, who looked quite lovely, although a bit dazed by all the lights and hubbub as they moved through the milling crowd and found a table.

They had barely sat down when Rita Skeeter swooped in, pad in hand, followed by a photographer. She adjusted her green stud-lined glasses as she looked from Snape to Odessa then back again.

”Professor Snape, it’s quite the shock to see you here. Quite the shock. It’s been more than twenty years since you killed Albus Dumbledore, hasn’t it?”

Snape frowned at the reporter, but didn’t speak. Rita’s quick eyes washed over Odessa.

”And who do we have here?” she asked as Odessa blinked back at her. “I’ve not seen you around before. What’s your name?”

”Ah, Odessa. Odessa Divine. I work for Severus,” she said before Snape could stop her. Odessa wasn’t used to being rude to people, and it would have been rude not to give her name when asked.

”Severus? On a first name basis, it seems. Interesting. So, you work for him. Out with the boss, eh? Well, that must be quite a cozy position,” Rita said.

”It’s a good job, yes,” Odessa responded.

Suddenly, there was a flash as the photographer took their picture.

Rita studied Odessa. “Where are you from originally? And what did you do before you worked for professor Snape?”

Odessa blinked at her nervously. The reporter caught it immediately and was about to press her further when Snape ran interference.

”Enough questions, Miss Skeeter. We wish to eat and enjoy our night. You’ve taken up enough time, “ Snape said, his eyes narrowed.

Rita made a rather ugly face at him.

“But you’re news, professor,” she replied.

”I haven’t been a professor for over a decade, Miss Skeeter. And I would like to enjoy my meal. Do I have to summon an Auror to remove you?”

”No, but you’ve made me very suspicious. Very suspicious,” Rita said, looking toward Odessa again, who looked down at the table. “Miss Odessa Divine seems to be something of a mystery, and I love a good mystery. I’m very good at solving them, too. Your coming out in public after all these years is good story fodder. Very good. I’m sure there’s more to this. I’ll be in the wings, professor Snape. Goodbye for now, Odessa.”

Rita left, photographer in tow, Snape looking after her with a frown.

”I hate that woman,” he said softly, then looked at Odessa. “Would you like something to drink before I order our meal?”

”I did something wrong, didn’t I? I shouldn’t have told her my name,” Odessa said. “Maybe—maybe I should go, Severus.”

”You’re not going anywhere. The very idea of abandoning me on New Years Eve without even a dance is absolutely ludicrous. We are going to stay and make a night of it. Now, would you like something to drink? Champagne, perhaps?”

Odessa blinked at him. No, she couldn’t leave him, no matter how uncomfortable Rita made her feel. What did she mean she’d be in the wings?

”Ah, ok,” she responded.

Snape waved over one of the many waiters serving.

”We’d like a good bottle of champagne and a menu,” Snape told the wizard, who immediately handed him an ornate parchment menu. The party was free but guests had to pay for food and libations. Snape studied the champagne list then looked over at Odessa.

”Do you have a preference?” he asked the witch, who shook her head.

”No. I’ve never had champagne in my life. I don’t usually drink,” Odessa replied.

Snape imagined Odessa didn’t have much to celebrate in her time. He looked back at the list.

“I believe we will have a Rosé. A nineteen ninety-six bottle of Dom Pérignon,” he said.

The waiter smiled.

”A very good year, sir,” he replied. “I will return shortly.”

He left Snape with the menu. Snape handed it to Odessa, who first looked at the champagne list, then paled.

“Severus! That bottle of champagne cost eighty Galleons! That’s more than I make in a week!” she exclaimed.

“Since you’ve never had champagne, Odessa, I felt your first experience should be a good one,” Snape responded.

“But eighty Galleons, Severus? That’s just a waste of money,” she chided him.

Snape studied her until she flushed under his gaze.

”It’s not a waste of money, Odessa,” he said softly. “It gives me pleasure to share some of the finer things of life with you. So few things give me pleasure. You are one of those few things, witch. You deserve more than high-priced champagne, believe me.”

Odessa blinked, her eyes filling with tears. Snape pulled a handkerchief out of his inner pocket and handed it to her.

”No waterworks,” he told her. “It’s a time to celebrate surviving another year.”

”I don’t know why you’re so good to me, Severus. You give me a job, now this—“

”I am simply being selfish, Odessa. You’re a fine employee and a fine companion. I’m really taking great advantage of you,” he told her solemnly.

Odessa wiped her eyes.

”I know what being taken advantage of is, Severus, and this isn’t it, believe me,” she replied, handing him back his handkerchief.

”Not when it’s done by a Slytherin, Odessa,” he purred back at her as the champagne arrived. “Taking advantage of people is an art form. Done properly, they never even know it’s happened.”

The waiter set two glasses before the couple and allowed them both to examine the bottle, then popped the cap, Odessa squealing with delight as a bit of champagne misted down on her. She sipped it and made a face, then giggled, looking at Severus, who held up his hand and said with a bored look on his face, “Don’t tell me. It tickles your nose.”

Odessa grinned at him.

”Well, it does!” she said with a smile as she took another sip and giggled again.

Odessa and Snape had a wonderful meal, the wizard choosing mostly foods she never tasted before. Cucumber soup, Pheasant under Glass, Balsamic-Braised Cipolline Onions with Pomegranate, and Potato Gratin with Porcini Mushrooms and Mascarpone Cheese. The only thing she was really familiar with were the roasted vegetables.

Snape also purchased a bit of high-end caviar, which Odessa HATED.

She spit it and the thin cracker it was on into a napkin, her face so scrunched up that Snape actually laughed out loud, a real rarity for the wizard.

”Oh my gods—that was absolutely vile,” Odessa hissed at the chuckling wizard. “How could you give me that? I thought caviar was supposed to be good.”

”It’s an acquired taste,” he replied, fixing up a cracker and popping it into his mouth blissfully as Odessa looked at him with an expression of disbelief. Then her face relaxed.

”I think I understand it now,” she said as Snape poured her another glass of champagne. They were on their second bottle. You didn’t get much for eighty Galleons. The bottle itself was made of very thick glass with a kind of glass hill in the bottom.

“Understand what, Odessa?” he asked her as she took a nice sip of champagne. She felt a little giddy from the bubbly.

”Why you aren’t disgusted by caviar,” she replied, smiling.

”Because I have a much higher developed sense of taste than you do?” he asked her loftily.

Odessa chuckled.

“No. Nothing as complicated as that. You’ve simply built up a tolerance for swallowing down nasty things because you work with potions. Admit it. A lot of potions taste like swill. I know they smell like it.”

Snape pretended to be outraged by her summation of his obviously superior tastes, but Odessa knew he wasn’t. Suddenly, he stood up as a waltz came on and held out his hand to Odessa.

”Come waltz with me, Odessa,” he said softly.

The witch paled.

Odessa knew how to slow dance, because she used to dance with customers sometimes as part of her “service,” but she hadn’t waltzed since her fifth year, and hadn’t really mastered it.

”I haven’t waltzed since I was a fifth year, Severus,” she said in response.

He didn’t lower his hand.

”I’ll—I‘ll make you look bad,” she said, looking over at the dancers. “How about we just wait until a slow song comes on, then dance?”

”No. I want to waltz with you. I enjoy waltzing.”

”With a good partner, but I’m sure you won’t like waltzing with me,” she said.

”Take a chance, Odessa. Trust me,” the wizard said, reaching down and drawing her up. Odessa felt very self-conscious as he led her to the floor and placed one hand gently on her waist.

“Now, one-two-three, one-two-three,” Snape said quietly, moving slowly at first, completely out of sync with the other dancers.

Odessa tentatively followed his steps.

Rita Skeeter, who was seated near the dancers so she could see everyone, noticed Odessa’s choppy steps immediately.

”She doesn’t know how to waltz. Everyone knows how to waltz, Bozo,” she commented to the photographer. “There’s something strange about that witch. I’m going to find out what.”

Odessa began to catch on. Snape was a patient teacher and they began to catch the rhythm.

”I’m doing it!” Odessa said, smiling up at him. “I’m waltzing. It’s not so hard.”

”No, it isn’t,” Snape replied, whirling away with her.

The couple danced the night away, Odessa full of happiness and laughter, caught up in the celebration, Snape wearing a pleased smirk as they danced. With Odessa, it was as if the entire world was a new creation. She took such joy in normal things.

”I can’t believe I’m out in decent society, Severus,” she said to him softly as the clock ticked down and everyone began counting with it.

”You belong here, Odessa. I’ve met few people with a heart as decent as yours,” he replied.

”HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!”

Streamers, confetti and balloons fell all around them as people embraced. The couple stood facing each other as if no one else was in the room.

”Happy New Year, Odessa Divine,” Snape said softly.

”Happy New Year, Severus Snape,” she replied.

Snape stared down at her.

”It’s customary to bring in the year with a kiss from a lovely woman,” he told her, then leaned in and captured her lips softly.

To Odessa, it felt like her very first kiss.

In a way, it was.

**********************************

The couple returned to Knockturn Alley, and Severus escorted Odessa to her flat. The witch opened the door and turned to face him.

”Would you like to come in, Severus?” she asked him softly.

Severus’ dark eyes washed over her. He would love to come in, but felt that he shouldn’t. Odessa should know what it was like to be out with a man, but not have to service him afterwards. Sex wasn’t a payoff. It was a pleasure.

”No, Odessa. I just wanted to see you home. I had a wonderful evening because of you,” he said softly, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it.

Odessa tittered, and pulled her hand back against her breast.

”You make me feel like an elegant lady,” she said softly.

”That’s because in my eyes you are, Odessa,” he replied.

Odessa blinked up at him, an odd feeling coming over her. He meant it. She could feel that he meant it.

”Good night, Odessa.”

”Good night, Severus.”

Suddenly the wizard Disapparated. Odessa closed and warded her door, hung up her cloak and walked to her mirror. She stood there looking at herself for a moment, then smiled and spun so her gown flared. Her first night out with a wizard that wasn’t a customer went wonderfully.

And that was because Severus Snape was wonderful. The most wonderful man she’d ever met.

She stripped down to her knickers, carefully put away her gown, then pulled the cushions off of her couch and pulled out her bed. She had barely slipped under the covers when there was a pounding on her door and a drunken voice called out, “Odessa! Open up. I need a shag!”

Odessa knew that voice. It was Alfred Crumwell, a Knockturn Alley regular she had known since she first started working on the streets. He was an old man now, but felt since he helped break her in, she should always be accommodating. He hadn’t taken her departure from the life well at all. No decent whore should be working in an apothecary shop.

”I’m out of business, Alfred! I’ve told you that over and over! Now go home!” Odessa called out in an irritated voice

”I’ll pay you five Galleons! That’s two more than you usually get! Good money for a whore your age!”

”Go home!” Odessa yelled, flipping over onto her stomach and pulling the pillow over her head as Alfred kept pounding.

”Gods. I’ve got to move,” she groaned, “and soon.”

*******************************************
A/N Thanks for reading.