The Potions Master and the Ravenclaw

Argument and Reconciliation

When Severus and Madeline returned to Hogwarts, there was a note on their door to see the headmaster.

When they walked into Dumbledore's office, they were greeted with a surprise party for Madeline. All the heads of house were there, as well as Madame Pomfrey and Hagrid. The headmaster poured them all glasses of elf-made wine and they all congratulated her on becoming officially licensed as a healer.

"I'm so proud of you, Maddie," said Madame Pomfrey, hugging her warmly.

"I couldn't have done it without you, Madame Pomfrey," she replied.

"You must call me Poppy, now."

"Thank you, Poppy. For everything."

"We're all very proud, Madeline. You've done so well," McGonagall said, patting her arm. "A perfect test score is most impressive."

"But how did you know about that?" Her eyes cut to Snape, who was grinning mischievously.

"Oh, a little bird told us," said Dumbledore, blue eyes twinkling.

She laughed. "Well, thank you all. You've been like family to me and I am so grateful."

"Always knew yer could do it, Maddie," said Hagrid. "And by the way, I've got summat to show yer later. Maybe yer can drop by for tea tomorrow. Yer welcome, too, o' course, Professor." He nodded to Snape.

"I can't wait! We'll be there Hagrid," Madeline said excitedly.

...

Snape held Madeline's hand as they walked down to Hagrid's hut.

"Thank you for coming with me, Severus," she said, turning her face up for a kiss.

"It's alright, darling," he said, brushing his lips against hers and squeezing her hand. "I admit I'm curious to see for myself what Hagrid has in store."

Hagrid greeted them at the door, and Madeline hugged him. Fang, Hagrid's dog, showered her with slobbery dog kisses and she laughed out loud.

"Alrigh,' Fang, ya great lump. That's enough outta yer." Hagrid said. He went to the fireplace and pulled a giant kettle off the fire. "Tea's ready."

After tea (and some rock hard biscuits), Hagrid filled a satchel with raw meat.

"Alrigh,' then. Foller me. Yer gonna love this, Maddie."

They followed Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest. They reached a clearing and Hagrid whistled. They heard a rustling of the leaves and a small creature shyly poked its head out from behind a tall tree.

"A thestral foal!" breathed Madeline. "A baby thestral!"

"Come on out, little feller," called Hagrid softly. "I've got a treat for yer." He opened his bag and tossed a strip of the raw meat onto the ground.

The thestral foal slowly inched toward the meat, sniffing it with great interest, then it folded its spindly legs awkwardly to bend and greedily snap it up.

"Oh, Hagrid! It's beautiful!" she whispered. She looked at Snape and he was as entranced as she was.

"Here, Maddie," said Hagrid, handing her a piece of meat.

She took it and held it out to the foal, and it came to her to eat directly from her palm. Then it nuzzled her hand and she stroked it gently, smiling broadly.

"He likes yer," said Hagrid chuckling.

They heard another soft rustling of branches and a fully grown thestral stepped into the clearing.