This World of Glass by Whitetail
Summary: Third in the series Days We Learn From. In a darkening world where the war looms ahead, things couldn’t be more wrong. A new hand has been dealt out, and now Severus isn’t well, and this he knows. But what is it that is causing the fainting spells, and how long can he keep this a secret from his two adopted sons, Harry and Draco? More importantly, with the Dark Lord still furious over the discovery of Severus as a spy, how long can the little family continue to escape his clutches?
Categories: Misc > All written in Snape's POV, Parental Snape > Guardian Snape Main Characters: .Snape and Harry (required), Draco, Original Character
Snape Flavour: Snape is Loving
Genres: Family, Hurt/Comfort
Media Type: None
Tags: Alternate Universe
Takes Place: 6th Year
Warnings: Character Death, Romance/Het, Violence
Challenges: None
Series: Days We Learn From
Chapters: 28 Completed: Yes Word count: 82971 Read: 92774 Published: 04 Dec 2011 Updated: 19 Apr 2012
Something Crazy by Whitetail

 I was a bit slow getting ready for the ball, simply because in many ways I didn't want it to come, for I was secretly petrified of what others would think. I was very good at convincing the world that I didn't care what people thought of me, but a lot of the time, I wasn't so good at convincing myself. For someone who had dressed and worn his hair the same for as long as I had, it seemed insane to me that I had changed that. Of course, this was not my only reason for being slow. The second one was probably what was holding me back most, actually. And the reason was that I was afraid look in the mirror once I had put on my dress robes. What if I saw not myself, but a near skeleton, like when I had examined my reflection before Christmas? What if I still looked like I was dying? What if the letter came and said I was still dying? But time was running short and the doors opened in the Great Hall in ten minutes. I hated being late. So, taking a deep breath, I ripped off the sheet I had covered my cracked floor mirror with. I forced myself to open my reluctant eyes.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The navy dress robes did look sharp, and while they were a bit loose around the shoulders and chest, they were not near as much so as they would have been a month and a half ago. I did a quick spell to fix that before continuing to examine my reflection. My hair looked good too - different, but I was liking it more and more.

I jumped slightly when an owl tapped the tiny window in my bedroom. I went over to open the window. It creaked loudly as I wondered why the owl would bring me my mail now, and not in the morning like all the other letters that were sent. The owl passed me the letter, and I gave it an owl treat from the little box by the window. It hooted happily, and I stared down at the thick envelope.

My heart hammered, and I had to sit down on the foot of my bed. With shaking fingers I ripped the envelope open. I pushed aside a few charts that had little labels on them saying they were to go into my medical file in Poppy's cabinets, and then I found the piece of thick parchment I was looking for.

 

Severus,

I have finished analyzing your test results. There was no trace of Lethifold Syndrome in your body, and the tests taken of your magical signature show no trace of it either, as a serious illness would normally present itself in some way deep within it. The Weasley's Wort clearly has invaluable properties, and while I cannot quite ascertain what it was precisely about the plant that caused your illness to retreat, I am proud to say that you are cured. Sometimes, when there are small traces of a serious illness left within someone's magical signature, it may come back. As your magical signature shows no traces of Lethifold Syndrome, I strongly believe that this means you will not experience a relapse.

Congratulations!

Sincerely,

Benjamin Phelps

 

In shock, the letter fell from my fingertips, but I caught it before it could hit the ground. Cured, cured ... I was cured! I couldn't believe it. What had I done to deserve to be this lucky? I didn't know, but I was unable to keep from grinning as I carefully folded the letter and stowed it deep in my dress robes. I didn't have to fear that I was dying now; I didn't have to distance myself from people; I didn't have to worry about leaving Draco and Harry hurting any more than they already did.

After that letter it seemed positively easy to walk down to the Great Hall, when before it had seemed like I had to go over oceans to do so. I arrived in fairly good time, though the doors had opened already. It looked as though it had only been about five minutes since they did. A few stragglers were coming down the staircase, but the hall was relatively filled. Through the wide open doorway I could see that there were small tables scattered throughout the room, just like there had been during the Yule Ball. As I grew closer to the open doors, I could see that the Great Hall was decked out in burgundy and many different shades of red. I stepped over the threshold, and saw heads turning every way as I walked to the front of the hall, where the long table for the staff was located. I smirked. As I travelled across the Great Hall I caught sight of the table where Harry and Draco were sitting. Harry and Ginny Weasley were sitting together. At the same table sat Draco and Hermione, and Ron, who was with some other girl I did not recall the name of. Harry caught my eye and did a discreet thumbs up and gestured to his hair. I knew what he meant, and with difficulty I held back a chuckle. It was just like Harry to use some form of crazy sign language as a means of complimenting someone.

I walked up to the top table. There was only one empty seat, and I was quite delighted at where it was. I didn't even try to quash my silly thoughts, which suddenly didn't seem so silly. And who said black foxes are unlucky?

The staff looked shocked to see me in something besides black, but most didn't say anything, though quite a few stared unashamedly. Ignoring the looks, I took the seat next to Laura. She looked very beautiful, her brown hair framing her face and cascading over her shoulders. It was quite different from the way she usually wore her hair, as she had to pull it back for her duties as a matron. Of course it looked good then, but this was a nice change from the usual. Her crimson dress robes suited her well, and brought out the pink in her cheeks.

"You got a haircut," she pointed out cheerfully once I had sat down next to her.

"Molly Weasley cornered me when I dropped by earlier," I said.

"I don't find that hard to believe," she said with a laugh that sounded like bells. "I'm going to take a guess and say the blue robes were her doing as well."

"Well deducted," I said with a slight shake of my head, though I was rather amused myself. "If I might say so, you look very nice yourself.

"Thank you Severus," she said with a smile that made me want to melt in my chair. I didn't quite register the fact that Minerva and Albus watching the two of us out of the corners of their eyes.

Not long after my arrival we all got started on our meals. I paid more attention the conversation I was having with Laura than my food, and by the time the shining plates had disappeared I had pretty much forgotten what I had eaten. I was too cheerful to even deny it, for I was going to live. I had a future to look forward to.

The tables slid magically to the side when everyone got up, and all of the people stood along the sides of the hall. The band struck up a slow tune, and Minerva and Albus led the way and were the first on the floor. I watched as Ginny and Harry followed suit, as well as a number of others. The rest of the students slowly trickled onto it as well. I turned to Laura beside me. I was surprised to find that she too had turned her eyes away from the floor. She was looking straight into my eyes. 

"Do you want to dance?" we asked each other in almost perfect unison. She blushed, and I imagine I went a little red as well.

The both of us smiling just a little, I took her hand and we took a place on the dance floor. I really don't think either of us noticed the many stares, which came from students and staff alike.

I was surprised to find that our strides seemed to fit together somehow, and make dancing easier so that it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Despite this, the two of us were still a little clumsy, and Laura was the first to step on my feet. It seemed funny to the both of us, however.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "How are your toes?"

"Oh they'll be fine, besides, I'll pay you back in time, if I'm a betting man." She relaxed at this and instead looked a little amused, and I lifted my arm for her to turn in time to the music. Her hair shone in the light, and the glittering hem of her robe fluttered by her ankles when she turned.

The evening seemed to pass in a blur, the both of us on and off the dance floor. The crescent moon was shining way up in the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, reflecting off the shimmering pieces of burgundy material that were draped through the rafters. We talked of whatever we wanted to talk about, and the conversation flowed easily as the hour grew later, and after a while we simply glanced up at the starry ceiling, thinking. I couldn't help but recall the night on the Astronomy tower, and how the world seemed so different tonight than it had been then.

"They're so beautiful, aren't they, the stars?" whispered Laura after a long silence between us, filled by the music from the band.

"I find I appreciate them more and more," I said pensively, also glancing upward at the starry ceiling.

"Why is that?"

Now, it didn't seem so hard, thinking of just why that was. It didn't seem so complicated. I didn't have to be afraid to hurt her. So I let the words flow from my mouth like I had wanted them to for a long time now, but had never had the courage to do do so. "I wasn't sure how much time left I would have to appreciate things like the stars." I paused for a moment, but continued with the questioning look she gave me. "In November I was told I only had seven months to live," I said slowly. Her eyes widened, and she looked horrified. "Don't worry," I said hastily, shocked by her expression. "I'm fine now. Today I got the news that the illness is gone completely. I'm going to live." I couldn't help but smile at the last part.

"That explains so much," she said in a hushed voice, now looking relieved. "I thought there was something more going on, but I really didn't want to pry ... "

I must admit, I was surprised. I had thought Minerva would have told Laura about my illness as soon as she found out. Then again, perhaps she felt that I would tell her when I was ready. I appreciated that.

"Well, you were right," I muttered. "My cough wasn't a cold, like I told you. I just ... I couldn't find the words to say what it really was."

"What were you sick with, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I don't mind. I was told I had Lethifold Syndrome."

"Hmm ... they mentioned it briefly when I took my healing course," she said, clearly thinking hard. She paused a moment before continuing. "But there isn't a cure, is there? I mean, that's what they said. I think. Mind you, that was five years ago that I took the course."

"No, you are correct. There wasn't a cure, but we are pretty sure we just discovered it, growing in Molly Weasley's back garden of all places." I almost laughed with relief at the thought of all. It sounded unbelievable, even to my ears.

"You're kidding," she said, looking bemused.

"No, I'm not," I assured her. Laura's eyes widened once she had determined I was entirely serious. "She calls it Weasley's Wort. It's a bit of a long story how we did find out it worked for Lethifold Syndrome."

"I'd love to hear it some time," she said with interest. And I told her I would tell it someday if she wanted.

I looked at the big enchanted clock that had been placed at the front of the hall for the night. It was a complicated, elegant device of many charms, courtesy of Flitwick. But I did not think of that at the moment, for it was nearing midnight, and things were almost starting to wrap up. Laura looked to the clock as well, noticing where my gaze had wandered to.

"I think this is the last dance," she said as I faltered in saying the same thing.

"Then we haven't any time to waste, do we?" I recovered, holding out my hand for her to take. We smiled hesitantly at each other and then took the floor for the last time.

There were a few people resting their feet along the sidelines, though the floor was still fairly full. But I barely noticed all of that. As Laura and I stepped along to the music I couldn't believe that I had once hated dancing. It wasn't so bad at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. After a while it seemed as though the whole hall had disappeared, and that it was just the two of us, and all the stars up above. I couldn't take my eyes off of hers. It was lucky that by now I didn't even have to think about where my feet where, or where we were in relation to other people. It was like it had become instinct, so much so, that we moved across the floor with a grace I had never known before. It was a long time before either of us seemed to register the fact that we found ourselves growing closer together. I made no move to stop it, and neither did Laura as the song began to come to a close, though I wished for it to go on forever.

That of course, was when I did something crazy. Insane, really. Perhaps it was the fact that I had forgotten we were in the middle of a crowded hall, or maybe it was because all the Cruciatus curses I had taken over the years had destroyed the rational part of my brain in regards to cause and effect. But of all these things, I think the most likely cause for my sudden bravery (or insanity, not sure which) was that I knew I actually had a future, and that a brush so close with death made me realize how fragile life is. Yet in all of the fragility of it, I suddenly saw that sometimes you have to risk things falling apart, risk shattering what you so carefully stand upon. And so, all possible reasons aside, I leaned forward, and I kissed her. To my surprise Laura responded, and like that we remained, and all I knew was the feeling of her arm on my shoulder, and the softness of her hand on my neck, and the warmth of her other hand in mine. We broke apart after what felt like a thousand wonderful days, and only then did we look around and remember where we were.

Laura giggled a little, and I held back the odd urge to laugh; despite the fact that half the hall was staring at us open mouthed, for some unknown reason all I could think was how funny the situation was. The final note from the band shuddered to a halt, and hand in hand we rushed away into the crowd, eyes gleaming and feeling like we stole something. As we did so I saw Harry and Draco staring, dumbstruck, and Hermione looking as though she were about to say ‘‘‘I told you so". Laura and I looked at each other for a second as the hall began to empty for the night and the clock struck midnight. We just about ran into Albus and Minerva, who were standing only a little ways away along the side of the Great Hall. We hesitated for a moment, for Minerva looked quite disgruntled, although she didn't see us. Laura cringed slightly beside me. We looked at each other in worry, and then back at them, just in time to see Minerva drop a galleon into Albus' outstretched palm. Laura and I gaped at them. Then, we both started to walk over to them. I sensed that they were not angry at us in the least, oddly enough.

"Did you two have a wager going?" I inquired disbelievingly, throwing them a look of exasperation similar to the one Laura was giving them. The looks on both of our faces must have been quite funny, now that I think of it.

"Just a friendly bet," said Albus a little smugly, pocketing the galleon.

"I didn't think they would actually kiss with everyone watching," said Minerva scathingly to Albus. Laura and fought to keep our faces straight, though neither of us could stop from going a little red. "I didn't think they were that stupid."

"We've had a wager going for quite some time on how you two would admit your feelings," Albus explained in amusement as though it was the most common place thing in the world. "Minerva thought we would quietly find out that you two had finally confessed how you felt. I made a bet that we would find out in a slightly more obvious way, such as that display of unprofessionalism that took place a few moments ago. It was only a matter of time before you two broke, really."

The both of us cringed, waiting for the lecture and retribution.

"Oh, don't look so worried ... I won, so you're off the hook!" said Albus in good humour, making my eyes widen in surprise. Minerva rolled her eyes and walked away. "It's about time that you two have stopped being in denial. Especially you Severus. Happy Valentine's day."

And then he followed after her, leaving Laura and I standing there in a rather punch-drunk manner.

"He's absolutely batty," said Laura in awestruck respect.

"Quite," I muttered rather happily in return.

"Was it that obvious that we ... you know, fancied each other?"

"Apparently so ..." I muttered, though I was more surprised than irritated. I was personally on top of the world. No, the universe.

A few minutes later I walked Laura back to her quarters, which were located not too far from the hospital wing. We said goodnight, both unable to hold back our surprised but delighted looks at the outcome of the events tonight, and then I walked down to my quarters. Despite my years of navigating corridors without paying any attention at all, I almost took a wrong turn, as I was still engulfed in a bubble of joyful surprise.

      When I finally reached my destination, I found Harry and Draco standing outside my office. I had been expecting to find them somewhere near here, and so I opened the door and we all went in to where we could talk.

"Er, hi Dad," said Harry.

"Hello," I said, feeling a little bit nervous. What would they think of it all? I cared much more of their opinions than Albus and Minerva's.

"It's okay, we're happy for you," said Draco immediately, to my surprise. Then, he pulled a face. "But ... that was a little gross. Could you not ... you know, not do that again in public?"

"So long as you and Hermione don't kiss around me," I said in amusement, relieved they were not upset about it. Draco blushed at my comment.

"But you have a bad habit of showing up when we are," said Draco under his breath. Harry and I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"No promises then," I said before turning to Harry, raising my eyebrow and feeling rather pleased that I finally knew who it was he had been wanting to ask. "So, Ginny Weasley?"

He nodded nervously.

"And here I was worried you fancied Pansy Parkinson," I joked. Harry let out a sigh of relief. It had obviously been weighing on his mind that I wouldn't approve. Funny how we all seemed to be that way, one time or another.

"Anyway, the main thing we came down here to ask you was if you got the letter," Draco said in a hushed voice. I was not surprised, for they had been coming down for the last few evenings to ask me the same question.

"I did," I said, pulling it out of the pocket of my dress robes.

I handed it to them, and they both scanned the letter with fervent eyes. Harry was the first to finish, and it took a moment for him to truly register that I was in fact going to live. When he did Draco had finished as well, and they both whooped and shouted and made a racket to celebrate. I didn't scold them. If there was any good reason out there for making a lot of noise, this was it. When they calmed down a little we all stood quietly in my office, silent looks of relief and gratitude upon our faces.

We were all exhausted, and so I soon made to send them off to their respective common rooms.

"Can I tell you something Dad?" asked Harry, just before he followed Draco out the door.

"Go on," I said.

"I really like Miss Baldwin," he said quietly, smiling.

"Can I tell you something Harry?" I said.

He nodded.

"I really like her too," I whispered back to him.

With a grin he was out the door. I watched as he neared the corridor intersecting the one my office was in, and just before he turned he flashed me one last big smile, his hair sticking up in the back like it always did. The image stuck in my mind as I fell asleep that night, and the last thought that went through my head was that I was the luckiest man in the world.

The End.
End Notes:
Wow. The next chapter is the last one you guys. I can't believe it. Well, I hope that everyone (brace yourselves for a bad pun) had a ball reading this chapter! I may or may not have grinned like an idiot every time I edited this one. Anyway, so you all know, I will be traveling for a few days this upcoming week. I should return in time to get the final chapter up on the evening of the eighteenth, if not, sometime the next day. I thought it was worth mentioning, just in case we hit a snag traveling and I am over my usual posting time. Cheers everyone!


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