The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

Madam Pince and the Flaming Pudding

Madeline Clovewater, Emily Greengrass, and Roderick Winters were sitting together in the quietest corner of The Ravenclaw common room.

"I have to tell you both something. Something huge," said Madeline. "But it's a secret and you have to swear absolutely that you will not tell ANYONE."

"We swear. Now tell us!" Roderick said, and Emily nodded.

"I mean it. You must promise me that you will keep this secret."

"Ok, ok! Just tell us the secret, Maddie!" said Emily impatiently.

"Ok. But you have to also swear not to freak out and not to be mad that I haven't told you both before now."

"You're scaring me, Maddie! We swear. Now tell us before we die of curiosity!" Roderick said.

"Ok. Now, stay calm. I'm...engaged."

"Oh, my God! To be married?" asked Emily.

"Of course to be married. What other kind of engaged is there?" Roderick was incredulous. "To who, Maddie? You aren't even dating anyone!"

"But I have been seeing someone. For a while now. Please don't freak out."

"Ok! Ok!" they said in unison.

"Snape."

"What about him?" asked Emily blankly.

"That's who I'm marrying. Snape. Professor Snape. I'm engaged to him. I'm marrying Severus Snape. In six weeks. And Dumbledore is performing the ceremony."

They both stared at her with their mouths hanging open.

"Are you joking?" asked Roddie.

"Maddie! No!" whispered Emily.

"Yes." She pulled her necklace from under her shirt and showed them her ring. She had promised to put it on her finger as soon as she told her friends.

"It's gorgeous! But Snape? You have to be kidding!" Emily was aghast. "He's...terrifying!"

"Oh, Em! He's not! Well, I mean, he is...but he's also so sweet and thoughtful and brilliant and handsome and powerful and sort of funny in his own way and he's perfect...I know it seems mad, but he's nothing like he is in class."

"You're telling me Snape is... sweet?" asked Emily.

Madeline nodded. "To me, anyway."

"Well, I think he's hot. Well done, Maddie," said Roderick.

"Roddie, he is! He's so beautiful! You have no idea."

"Oh, my God! Maddie! You've had sex with Snape???" Emily squealed.

"Shhhhh!" Madeline and Roddie both shushed her.

"Do you want everyone to hear you? You promised!" Madeline hissed.

"But have you?" Emily whispered.

"Well... yes."

"You HAVE? Bloody hell! How was it?" Roderick was agog. "I'll bet it was amazing."

"It was. It is," Madeline smiled. "He's incredible."

"Oh, my God! How old is he, Maddie?" asked Emily.

"Thirty-four."

"Are you happy, Maddie? Do you love him?" asked Roderick.

"Oh, Roddie. Yes. So, so happy. I love him so much. And he loves me. He takes such good care of me."

"Then I'm happy for you Maddie." Roderick hugged her.

"Thank you, Roddie. I knew you'd understand. Em? Are you ok with this?"