Work Text:
The Beginning
Severus’ heart pounded madly as he rushed down the stairs at a breakneck speed and dashed into his room.
His father’s heavy footsteps could be heard from upstairs and he crawled into a corner dreading what was to come.
Since he started understanding what was going on, he understood that his family was not…normal.
His mother was a witch, and a weak one at that and it seemed his father wasn’t made aware until he started showing accidental bursts of magic every time his mother was abused.
Yet, it seemed his protectiveness made things worse.
His mother’s true talent, like every Prince before, was in potions. She was average with a wand and her love for Tobias Snape never died despite his foul temper and rough handling.
His father’s voice kept raising and he clapped his shaking hands over his ears, in a desperate attempt to chase away this nightmare.
He heard a loud crash, then a piercing scream and without thinking twice, he left his safe hideout and headed toward the noise.
His father was standing over his mother’s unmoving form, a sneer deforming his face.
Severus gasped as his young mind guessed what went there, the half broken bottle on his father’s hand was proof enough.
Something started boiling inside him and hatred consumed his senses.
“What have you done?’’ A voice he couldn’t recognize left him and Tobias Snape froze.
“What did you say?”He snapped.
“What have you done to mother?’’ Severus repeated taking a step closer, his short legs carrying him without his full consent.
Tobias was now facing him fully, something dark and dreadful filling his pitch black eyes.
Lightning fast, for a drunkard like him, he raised his hand intending to hit him with the broken glass.
Something broke inside him and Severus yelled at the top of his lungs as his father was thrown away, his frail body hitting the farthest wall before he crumbled down at an unnatural position.
He didn’t give him a second look. He ran toward his mother, kneeling down and trying to wake her up.
Eileen was still, very still but he kept shaking her.
His small hands connected with her chest and he prayed to any deity that was listening to save her, no matter the cost.
His hands started glowing and he felt himself getting weaker.
The last thing he saw before he succumbed to darkness was his mother’s wide eyes.
༻✧༺
Things didn’t get better from there. His father was crippled due to the force of his blast, alas his big, poisonous mouth was still working.
His mother, instead of thanking him for saving her life, blamed him.
He dear husband was hurt and the stupid woman couldn’t take it.
It was the day Severus Snape lost all hopes on family and love. The years went on and his heart became colder day by day.
Eileen never forgave him and Tobias never ceased his jabs.
As he reached his tenth birthday, he became aware that a happy ending was not meant for him.
From the books that kept him company in his lonely existence, he understood that every wizard had a soulmate; someone Mother Magic chose especially for him, his perfect half.
Usually, a wizard would have his mark before he started school as soulmates were often close in age.
Yet, he was ten and unmarked, which extinguished the last flame of hope in his heart.
He accepted that he was meant for a lonely existence.
One day, as he was taking a stroll in the neighboring park, he witnessed a fight between two sisters.
The older one was taunting the younger about her unnatural powers and something tugged at his heart’s heartstrings.
So he broke the vow he took to never meddle in others’ business and interfered, landing a helping hand to the distressed redhead.
It was the start of a beautiful friendship.
He taught Lily Evans everything he managed to grasp from his faithful books and was over the moon as he found another mind that was on par with his own.
The bond he forged with his one and only friend got stronger and they told each other everything pertaining their family lives and problems.
Lily showed him the stag mark she had on her left wrist and he was happy for his friend, even if it hurt to remember that he didn’t get his yet.
The long awaited day finally was upon them and Severus couldn’t wait to be free from his toxic family and start anew.
His dreams were shattered on the train as he met the most obnoxious guys he could think of; a certain James Potter and his second, Sirius Black.
They embodied everything he loathed: two pampered purebloods who knew nothing of the pain this unfair life could inflict on others.
Potter seemed strangely drawn to his best friend and a sense of foreboding overwhelmed him, he couldn’t lose her now that he just got her.
So he did what he was proficient at, he hid his fear behind his sarcasm and cruel taunts and gained two sworn enemies in the process.
His troubles didn’t end there, from day one he was shunned and belittled in the snake pit.
He was a poor half blood with no family or wealth to back him up in a world based on alliances and mutual gaining.
Alas, that hate didn’t weaken him. Loneliness was an old friend, the only friend he knew since young age.
These fools were trying to destroy something that was already non-existent.
So, he kept his head down and drowned all his feelings in his books.
He banned any wayward thoughts and concentrated on his future, he had more important things to dwell on than giving the bigoted peacocks his time or energy.
Lily kept him company and the two friends started navigating this new world, trying to make something of themselves.
The difference was that Lily wasn’t only his anymore.
As the days passed, the beautiful witch started stealing attention and like moth to the flame, everyone was fascinated by Lily Evans, the muggleborn, kind redhead with the sharp mind and the quick comebacks.
Severus knew that it was only a matter of time before he lost her for good and he couldn’t pretend that it didn’t sadden him.
Something about the witch called to him in a curious way.
He knew that he didn’t fancy her, since he was aware that she wasn’t his and a wizard could feel true love only toward his fated one, but Lily was…different.
Through the years, his rivalry with the Marauders became the talk of the school.
His newly forged friendship with Barty Crouch Jr helped a bit, and made their escapes more challenging.
Thwarting their foul plans and pranks became his new obsession and even Lily’s warnings to ignore the mutts couldn’t stop him.
He hated Potter and Black with passion, even knowing that this rivalry wouldn’t end good for him.
He almost lost his life when he followed Lupin, intending to expose his darkest secret.
His rage and self loathing doubled as he became indebted to Potter and bound to him in Mother Magic’s eyes.
The dam broke in his sixth year. He started drifting to the Dark side, after hearing whispers about the new movement that would give him the chance to prove himself for once and raise considerably above all those who doubted him.
His talent in potions was the talk of the school, he was the first prodigy to emerge in the last century, but it didn’t quench the thirst for greatness he had.
He wanted, no, needed to show them all how wrong they were.
His father.
His mother.
His housemates.
Potter and Black.
And a girl he trusted once…
As Potter made him a joke for the next few days, he snapped.
Lily tried to defend him, but made things only worse for his deeply wounded pride. The stupid girl was so oblivious.
Almost everyone knew that she was Potter’s soulmate and he had the last proof as he witnessed his animagus transformation.
Even Potter knew, but being the chivalrous, dull Gryffindor, he wanted her to accept him for himself and not because of this fated bond.
And he snapped, and lost the only person he had ever trusted.
It was better that way.
Let her hate him and open her eyes to the truth before she started resenting him for standing between her and her soulmate.
Just like that, his one true friend who soared into his life six years ago like a beacon of hope, left him with nothing but a trail of memories that would never fade.
However, he wasn’t sad. He was after all the one who gave her new wings to start her new journey, even if it was in the arms of the wizard he abhorred most.
At last, Severus Snape surrendered fully to the darkness that lurked inside him, in a frail attempt to find fulfillment.
His life was crumbled ruins with no past and no future, so how much would it hurt to commit to something for once.
At first, all looked good.
He got new friends and people who recognized his talent and his value.
Like everything in his pitiful existence, the dream was butchered before it could sledge and spread its wings.
Voldemort was another monster who thrived in spreading fear and hate.
Was it his destiny to always meet these sick bastards and suffer their cruelty?
Under threats and torture, he kept his head down and did as he was asked.
Even though his life was unworthy, he didn’t want to die, not yet.
He couldn’t leave Her alone, to suffer as he did, even though she became more of a wish, an idea his woeful mind liked to imagine when he wanted to escape the ugly present.
He got his tattoo a year ago, a lightning bolt and he didn’t know what to think.
He wanted to chase his happiness and find peace for once, but what could he give this little witch?
He was broken beyond repair.
How could he tarnish this pure soul that was no older than a single summer?
Everything went from bad to disastrous the night he heard the prophecy and hurried to his jailer with the news.
He never imagined that he would become the doom of his first and only real friend.
In a desperate attempt to save what could be saved, he ran to Dumbledore and begged him for Lily’s life.
He never imagined that he just switched from a Basilisk to a Dementor who sucked people’s lives and freedom.
A stab of rage went through him as he heard muffled sobs the moment he apparated in the Potters’ cottage.
The home was in ruins, like his heart.
Severus curled his hand into a fist, his wrath barely unleashed as he approached the crib silently.
His eyes avoided the body lying on the floor, he couldn’t see her now, not like that, not after what he did.
Shock rooted him to the floor as he saw Her for the first time.
‘She had Lily’s eyes’ was his first thought, ‘and she had Potter’s wild dark locks’ was his second.
The little girl extended her short arms toward him, eyes red from crying and he saw It, inked there on her left wrist.
He would have laughed had he not being deciding who to kill first, Voldemort, Dumbledore or himself.
The girl paused as she looked at him and he felt like he was being judged.
He pitied her really, who would fancy being saddled with a soulmate like him: broken, old and ugly from the inside out.
Her bat tattoo mocked him, or maybe it was Fate, but like always he was powerless.
So he took her into his arms and felt warm for the first time in his life.
This small being, years and years his junior was his soulmate, his future companion, the only one who could understand and complement him.
He wanted to give her the world, yet it seemed the word was hellbent on tearing them apart.
It wasn’t the right time, not yet.
He didn’t care for his life, it was forfeit, but he would do his best and then more to keep her safe, even if it meant granting her a lonely existence.
He kissed her forehead, were a curse scar resided, and put her back on her crib.
He murmured a quiet charm and the girl drifted to sleep.
How he wished he could do the same to himself, it would be great to sleep for a whole night once in his life.
He cursed under his breath as he heard some noises and with a last look at the girl, he flew from the window, using the only good skill he inherited from his mother’s family.
He became one with the night and started planning for the future.
It was time to remember who he was: not the abused freak, not the shunned half blood, not the murderer of his friend.
He was Severus Snape, the proud Slytherin, the youngest potion Master in history and the protector of this girl from that moment on.
༻✧༺
Ten Years Later
Severus’ heart clenched as he heard the girl’s small voice.
It killed him that he had to leave her in the care of these abusers, but Dumbledore must not know of their bond, not now.
Over the years, he kept visiting her using the darkness of the night as his cloak.
The monsters Dumbledore left her with were worst than his wildest dreams.
He knew from Lily’s talks how awful her sister was, but witnessing it with his own eyes was something else.
Seeing all that hatred being thrown at sweet, small Harriet was definitely something totally different.
The girl kept acquiescing and doing whatever they asked, and if not for the plan, he would’ve killed them years ago in the most hideous way he could think of.
He visited her many times, healing her wounds and chasing away her nightmares with droplets of potions he mixed with her water.
A rare smile was drawn on his thin lips every time he found her caressing her bat tattoo, despite her fat cousin's taunts.
Today, he came for another reason.
He volunteered to give her the Hogwarts letter since her uncle refused to let her have a single look at the countless letters Dumbledore sent.
When the man looked at him bewildered, he justified his wish with the need to get acquainted with his old nemesis’ progeny and see for himself how she was faring.
The girl’s eyes widened as she opened the door, and he saw in her eyes a look he was quite familiar with.
A look he saw often in the mirror as he gazed into his black orbs.
He battled the need to smother the Dursleys, and took her shopping instead.
Harriet Potter was a quite girl, even though he noticed the curiosity filling her eyes.
So maintaining a steady voice, he explained all what he could and she started opening up to him bit by bit.
At the end of the day, he brought her back to her jail armed with some healing potions and few lies she could threaten her relatives with.
It never hurt that he left Petunia with a promise; if she harmed the girl one more time, her life and that of her precious kid would be his to do as he saw fit.
Thankfully the woman saw the truth in his threat, her paling and shaking were proof enough.
As he prepared to apparate, Harriet’s small face was the last thing he saw, looking at him from behind the window with a small smile adorning her lips.
༻✧༺
The most awaited day was upon them before he knew it and the Girl Who Lived returned to Britain’s Wizarding World.
It wasn’t a surprise when she was sorted in the lions’ house, he knew that with her Potter blood and her mother’s bravery it was expected.
He noticed right away her flinch as she glanced at the professors’ table and the wheels started spinning in his head.
Dumbledore’s eyes were twinkling madly and dread filled him. If he had to guess, he knew what the man was after.
They were both aware that Voldemort’s story was not over yet and it seemed the headmaster had a plan in mind.
Too bad for him he won’t let anyone use Harriet as a scapegoat.
He maintained his acting, and his scowl, and pretended to abhor everything red and gold and Potter.
In the first potions’ class, the girl surprised him with her vast knowledge; it seemed she inherited Lily’s genius in the subject.
It was rather known too that soulmates shared many similarities when it came to knowledge and magical affinity.
He couldn’t find it in himself to reward her with his customary sneer, so he just ignored her, even though her secret smile bothered him.
His spying skills paid off as he recognized the imposter and the night Quirrell sneaked a troll inside the school, he didn’t wait to go after his soulmate, the feel of her magic guiding him.
He found her battling the creature with the Weasley kid and a petrified Granger.
He didn’t think twice before severing its head.
As the three kids looked at him flabbergasted, he smiled sadly before raising his wand and whispering a ‘Confundus’.
When he was finished with her friends, Harriet shook her head and her eyes pleaded with him to let her remember.
The time he took to reach a decision was enough for McGonagall and Quirrell to join him and his eyes told her without words to keep what occurred to herself.
From that night on everything changed.
She started visiting him under her newly acquired cloak in the guise of seeking more knowledge about potions, however he knew that she was really after was company and the blooming link that started to grow between them.
After Quirrell’s attempt on her life, he couldn’t wait anymore.
He followed the bastard to the Forbidden Forest and didn’t blink as he ended his pitiful existence with a Killing Curse.
The cloak he borrowed from Harriet came in handy as Voldemort’s wraith left the host as he looked for the perpetrator.
It wouldn’t do for his cover to be blown yet.
He kept his face as impassive as ever as Dumbledore kept looking for the missing professor.
When he lost all hope, he filled in for the rest of the year and Severus breathed better.
Harriet spent a quite good year, totally oblivious to the monster lurking in the shadows.
He was barely able to contain his smile as she raised the Quidditch House cup, her own smile so telling.
Finally the shunned, abused orphan was coming into her own and as her soulmate he would do everything in his power to protect her happiness.
He sent her some books during the summer and she answered with weekly letters.
Her living conditions were somehow better and he couldn’t wait for the day when he could take her away from her blasted relatives.
༻✧༺
He saw fear in her eyes for the first time as she came rushing to his rooms one night, eyes wide and haunted.
‘’I heard some strange voices.’’ She wheezed, her small form shaking and he took her inside.
He gave her a calming draught before he sat beside her and asked gently:’’Tell me everything and don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.’’
Harriet wrapped her thin arms around herself and avoided his eyes as she described what she heard.
Cold chills ran down his spine, his sharp mind putting things together.
He took her small hands in his and vowed:’’I’ll never let a thing hurt you, I swear. But you must keep this to yourself, no one should be made aware of it.’’
She heaved a weary sigh, knowing that the burden of thinking to herself was taken care of.
“Alright but tell me what it means, I know it’s something important.’’ Her green eyes begged for the truth and he couldn’t deny her this small mercy.
So much was hidden from her and he suspected that more secrets would be revealed soon.
“You’re a Parselmouth. You can talk to snakes. It’s believed to be a dark talent so better keep it a secret. Salazar was one himself and then…Voldemort.”
She stiffened and he knew that panic griped her:’’But it’s not true. It’s a spectacular talent, something some would kill for. Never let others’ views bother you and remember that Magic is Might, it doesn’t matter if it’s Light, Dark or Grey, what matters is the caster’s intention.’’
Harriet searched his face, looking for something and a lone tear left her eye as she whispered:’’Thank you. I started doubting myself, but you made me feel better.’’
He felt uneasy, so he cleared his throat and carried on:’’If you hear the voices again, let me know. We’ll get to the bottom of this.’’
She nodded and the chase started.
After Granger was petrified, Harriet came running to him with a piece of paper in her hand.
They managed to locate the entrance, and together, they went down the pipes.
Ginny Wesley was under young Riddle’s lure.
Severus didn’t wait before he conjured a rooster and the huge Basilisk was done for.
The ghost started throwing threats of taking the redhead’s life in retribution and he froze as Harriet stabbed the diary with a fang that fell from the Basilisk’s mouth as it hit the floor.
Severus’ heart lurched at the sight of the ghost fading into nothing.
His worst nightmare was confirmed and he knew that he must work harder if he wanted to save Her.
They hid the real diary and gave Dumbledore a fake instead.
He suspected that the man knew the truth so it didn’t really matter.
༻✧༺
The next summer, while he was taking care of some rare plants in his garden, his wards notified him of a new comer.
He didn’t know what to do as he came face to face with Sirius Black.
“You know that I wasn’t Voldemort’s spy.’’ The frail man grunted, his voice barely working.
Confusion darkened his midnight stare as he glanced at the man in bewilderment:’’Why would you seek me of all people? We were never friends, far from it.’’
Sirius’ smile was grim as he confessed:’’Because I know what you’re to her. We saw the tattoo on her left wrist. James and Lily intended to tell you but…they never got the chance.’’
He swallowed the lump in his throat as the awful man poked his old wound.
“I…”He started curtly but the stubborn Black cut him again:’’You will help me. We will work together to save her. Before I followed the rat, I saw the mark on her forehead. We both know it’s not a normal curse mark, I felt the fool magic coming from it.’’
“Well, it seems I gained an unwanted guest.’’Severus’ voice carried the full weight of his sarcastic displeasure, yet the mutt didn’t waver.
He smirked:’’Sev, you better treat me well. Did you forget that I’m Harriet’s godfather and legal guardian?”
Severus gulped silently. Thank Salazar for his good occlumency shields.
He should’ve known that with the Marauders, or what remained of them anyway, you couldn’t welcome one without extending an invitation to the other.
It wasn’t long before Remus Lupin joined them and after a heated brawl, he enjoyed watching, the two old friends hugged each other.
From there on, he told them everything he managed to gather and the real work started.
Sirius contacted his soulmate, the one he abandoned while seeking his vengeance, Amelia Bones and after receiving a lecture she forgave him and setup on securing a fair trial for the love of her life.
༻✧༺
Remus took the position of the DADA professor and Severus could hardly hide his glee.
The two ex enemies set on catching the rat and it wasn’t long before they managed to.
A month later, Sirius Orion Black was a free Lord set on having his vengeance on those who wronged him and killed his best friend.
Harriet was over the moon as she met her godfather and things went from good to better as he took her guardianship.
“We need someone from inside.’’ Remus mused one night and Severus nodded, they needed more intel and he knew who to reach for.
Narcissa Black Malfoy agreed to provide them with her husband’s slightest movements.
The proud woman had enough of his treachery and questionable actions and couldn’t let her son succumb to darkness in order to please him.
It wasn’t long before they learned of the deformed baby-Voldemort MacNair brought back to England.
A good tracking charm and some Veritaserum showed them the way to their quest.
Amelia Bones took the little monster in her custody and didn’t waste a moment before contacting Unspeakable Croaker.
“He’s a monster alright.” The stern woman told them the next time they met, ‘’Not only he butchered his soul after several murders, but he delved in the darkest magics known to wizard kind. He must meet Mother Magic’s swift vengeance soon.’’
“You do it and I’ll give you the best bonding ceremony Britain had ever see.’’Sirius winked suggestively and Amelia shook her head at his antics.
That summer, all their troubles were over.
With the Unspeakables’ help, they managed to locate the remaining soul containers and bring them to The Department of Mysteries.
What remained was…
Harriet Dorea Potter.
“There is only one way.’’ Unspeakable Rookwood told them quietly as they sat grimly in his office.
“Spill it out then, we’re in a hurry if you hadn’t noticed.’’ Sirius spat and Amelia glared at him.
“Oh, I would’ve never guessed Lord Black. Yet, in case you forgot, you sought me first, considering I am the best at my job and all.” Rookwood drawled, his dark eyes laughing at the red faced Black.
He turned then, fixing Severus with his too knowing gaze:’’The only way to destroy the shard now that you destroyed the main piece is a magical bond strong enough to substitute the loss.”
Severus paled, his limbs shaking.
Sirius bolted intending to strangle the Unspeakable:’’She’s only fourteen you foul man!’’
Rookwood leaned in his chair, not bothered by the outburst:’’That’s why I hate dealing with average people. Who said anything about the filth filling your mind? The timing of the bond is an inconsequential matter, your goddaughter waited this long and she can survive three years before she forges this bond.’’
Everyone breathed and started to stand up, but the Unspeakable was not done with them yet.
“But you must bring her to me to seal the shard and make sure that no one can use her to bring back our mutual friend’’ He smirked.
Severus really pitied the poor souls who worked with this wizard, or Salazar forbid, his soulmate.
Yet, the good news made him forget about them.
Finally, his Harriet was safe.
≿━━━━༺❀༻━━━━≾
Three years later
‘’I’m coming!’’ Harriet shouted as she fastened her earrings, the last gift from Aunt Amelia.
It was her graduation day and she couldn’t believe the whirlwind journey she went through.
Her fingers caressed her tattoo and she smiled wistfully.
She was tired of waiting for him. When would he come to her like she wanted for too long?
She was done with her studies, and soon she would start her Potions Mastery.
It was all thanks to him, the man who always protected her from the shadows thinking that she didn’t notice him.
How wrong he was.
All her childhood, she believed that an angel visited her at night, healing her bruises and making sure that she got enough food.
But something about the angel wasn’t right.
He was way too…dark.
After a while, she started recognising his signature, which she wasn’t aware of at the time.
She could feel when he was there with her, even if she was sleeping.
As she became older, her bat tattoo fascinated her even though it made her life harder.
Muggles didn’t have soulmates, so her relatives didn’t lose a chance to taunt her about her ‘freaky tattoo.’’
Yet, whenever she looked at it, warmth filled her soul.
The first time he visited her with her Hogwarts letter, he seemed familiar.
His pale face and stern demeanor didn’t bother her. She knew instinctively that she could trust this wizard with her life.
Her hunch was proved true as a mere visit made her home life way better.
As she started school, she heard the whispers about him.
He was ‘The dungeon bat’, ‘Dumbledore’s lapdog’, ‘A Dark Wizard’; but nothing changed the way she saw him.
He was her Potions’ professor, a subject she loved, and a good man beneath his billowing dark robes.
She started getting closer to him, looking for an answer to this strange instinct encouraging her to get closer still.
As the days passed, she started seeing the man behind the mask.
The fist time she asked him to tell her something about himself, his answer made her heart feel heavy:’’There’s nothing about me worth knowing.’’
And she knew, that just like her, he spent the whole of his life trying to bury ugly memories, trying never to look to the past for anything.
They merely existed; it was all what they wanted.
His strength never ceased to amaze her and she knew that her school years went smoothly thanks to his resignation to keep her safe.
Her days became brighter as her godfather gained his freedom and his soulmate.
Harriet gained a family in the process and she couldn’t be more thankful to Severus.
As she reached her fifteenth birthday, Amelia, her mother figure, took her aside and told her the truth about her mark.
She wasn’t really surprised.
She heard whispers behind closed doors. The soulmate bond was a delicate and sacred subject and few talked about it freely.
However, she couldn’t help but notice that as they grew older, many witches and wizards wouldn’t leave each other’s side.
She decided to wait for him to come to her.
Sirius told her all about their history, his previous sins and how he never forgave himself and she couldn’t wait to mend his wounds.
Harriet sighed and joined Hermione and Ron down.
Her two friends were soulmates and she felt really happy for them.
The Great Hall was bursting with guests waiting for the new graduates.
She noticed Sirius with Amelia, Remus and Tonks.
Susan gave her a wave from the crowds and she smiled at her sister, who was holding Neville’s hand.
McGonagall, their new headmistress since Dumbledore’s sudden disappearance, started her speech and Harriet barely paid attention, her eyes scanning the teachers’ ranks.
He wasn’t there, how strange.
‘’He’ll come, don’t worry.’’ Hermione whispered and she shook her head.
How could he skip something so important for her?
She tore herself from her dark thoughts, and plastered a smile on her face as she joined her classmates.
As she headed toward her seat, something caught her hand and the smell of herbs told her the hidden person’s identity.
She followed him slowly, heading toward his office.
Severus undid his Disillusionment Charm and she smiled.
He looked nervous for the first time she met him and he couldn’t be more endearing.
“Harriet,’’ he started, ‘’over the years I told you bits about my life and I think you can get the whole picture. I was never loved, nor knew what real emotions were. My mother, the woman who was supposed to love me unconditionally hated me as I was the one who crippled her husband. Tobias despised me because I was ‘different’ and ‘evil’. My life was blank until I met Lily, my best and only friend. I thought that my troubles were over, but this world proved that bad luck will always follow me. I sank deep and did what I swore I'd never do, I sinned and delved in the dark, but my friend managed to save me, even at the cost of her own life. She saved me again as she gave me the most precious treasure on this earth, you. I’m not perfect, quite the opposite. I wish I was better, younger, richer and many other things but this is who I am. I ask you now, would accept me as I am? Would you accept this old man and agree to this bonding, knowing that once you do, I’ll never let you go?’’
He looked so lost, standing there with raw hurt etched plainly along the lines of his pale face. Harriet didn't know how she maintained the strength to keep herself from going to him.
Perhaps it was the strength of him that held her together and allowed her to just listen as he told her a story she was sure he had never told anyone else.
A story she guessed long ago.
She swallowed against the tears that choked her, but refused to let him see them:‘’Yes, I agree.’’
Severus took a deep ragged breath as he took out two plain silver rings from his pocket.
Two similar bands, bar the different size.
He lifted her hand gently, kissing her knuckles before he slid the ring in her fourth finger and she gasped at the warmth emanating from it.
He did the same with his ring and she saw the pleasure in his face.
“There’s something about this ring…’’She asked bewildered, looking at him intently.
His smirk was all Snape as he drawled:’’I took the liberty to acquire a droplet of blood from each one of us and asked a special friend to mold these bands.’’
She gasped, blood magic. Of course the ring gave her this feeling, it was like a hug from Severus.
He raised a shaking hand, grazing her cheek with the tips of his fingers and stared into her eyes as he said:’’Now neither of us will be alone anymore, we’ll always have each other.’’
Harriet couldn’t wait anymore, she pulled him into her arms.