Begin Again (Severus Snape/OC Love Story)

Chapter Fifteen: Goodbye

        By the time I returned to Hogwarts that evening, Dumbledore informed me that everyone had just sat down to dinner in the Great Hall.

"Miss Weasley has been quite worried about you," Dumbledore said, already aware that tonight would be my last in this castle. "Might it be too impertinent of me to suggest that you meet with your friends in the Great Hall?"

I stared down at the patterned carpet at his feet, not meeting his eyes, still battling with the knot of uncertainty coiled solidly in my chest. "Yeah, of course. I was going to do that anyway but... I need to ask you about something, Professor."

"Oh?" he said, leaning back casually to rest against the front of his desk. "You may ask me anything you like, Miss Pierce, and I will answer to the best of my ability."

I didn't dare meet his eyes. "At the funeral, my grandma and best friend said something that confused me. They said you didn't want me to go home for the week before the funeral, that you insisted it would be better for me if I stayed here at the school. I just was hoping to understand why, when you made it sound to me as though I had a choice in the matter. Why didn't you tell me my family had come to England?"

When I finally looked up, his head was tilted a notch to the side as though he had no idea what I was talking about. "I'm sorry Miss Pierce, but there must be a misunderstanding. Your father never mentioned that your family had come to visit. In fact, I didn't hear from him at all after sending the message that you would be staying until the week's end. If I may be candid with you Miss Pierce, I got the sense that he preferred you stay here."

Now more confused than ever, I said "I don't understand. Did my dad lie to my grandma? Why wouldn't he want me to come home?"

Dumbledore didn't answer, but he wore a look of apprehension in his soulful eyes. "Your friends are waiting; I think it's best if you head to dinner."

Remembering I had to tell them I would be moving back home, I said "Do you think they'll be upset with me? For leaving, I mean."

He moved forward a half-step, placing a wrinkled hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "You have made loyal and true friends here at Hogwarts. I am certain that they will understand your decision, and support you no matter what may come."

Feeling a bit uplifted, I raised my gaze to his and nodded. "Thank you, headmaster. For everything. I've only been here a short time, but I already have such incredible pride for this school. I just can't abandon my family; they would be so hurt if I stayed...".

His eyes twinkled suspiciously, but his lips were turned down with dolefulness. "I am glad that you have felt at home here, Miss Pierce. Now, off you go! I believe they are serving ambrosia tonight, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss out on that!" He ushered me towards the threshold gently, and I bid him goodbye before twirling down the spiral staircase.

The lengthy corridors along the way to the Great Hall were largely abandoned save for Lord Draben, who was floating along the ceiling looking exceptionally glum, and a few stray students. I studied them with fondness, aware that this would be one of the last times I trekked along these halls. The portraits, vast in number compared to those at Ilvermorny, went about their usual business, giving me affronted glares as I examined each in turn with affection.

When I arrived in the Great Hall, I was met not only with the heavy aroma of roasts and gravy but with pitying stares and whispered murmurs of gossip. Students glanced at me from the corners of their eyes, some apparently astonished that I had returned at all. It could not have been clearer that news of my whereabouts the past few days had circulated around the school, though that was to be expected given my absence in classes.