"Ancient Runes" a Severus Snape ff - Snape x OC

Chapter 27

Severus was glad Lysanna hadn't made any further attempts to get in his way during the past few weeks. It was bad enough having to see her every day, he didn't have the nerve for unnecessary discussions with her. The summer holidays were only a few weeks away and then Lysanna would be gone anyway. From Hogwarts and from his life. He couldn't turn off his feelings for her, he just tried as best he could to distract himself from the fact that this young witch had made him allow himself such feelings again. This would not happen again. He wouldn't allow himself to do it again.

Luckily, the final exams that were in full swing took his mind off his own thoughts. He had his hands full correcting some of the disastrous work. That was good. He would then spend the summer holidays alone in Spinner's End, where he would have the peace and quiet he needed to sort his thoughts and put his feelings for Lysanna in some sheltered corner of his mind. Nobody would ever know about it, nobody would ever be able to use those feelings against him.

-

The final exams had already started, but there was actually one more thing that excited the students even more. The last Quidditch game of the season was coming up this weekend. There were exactly three weeks left until the holidays.

Lysanna had admittedly taken a lot of time to think about everything. She still stuck to her decision to leave Hogwarts, even though returning to the Ministry gave her admittedly some headaches. Above all, the thought of having to face Theodor again made her uneasy. She hadn't had any contact with him since the beginning of the school year. Not that she was particularly angry about it, but Lysanna didn't know how he would act towards her once she was back. Actually there were only two possibilities. Either he had realised that there was no point and behaved professionally, or else the whole fuss would go on just as before...

Lysanna quickly dismissed the thought and concentrated once again on the work lying on the desk in front of her. She had to finish today, although there were certainly better things to do on such a lovely sunny day than sitting in the office.

A few minutes later, a knock broke her concentration again.

"Come in!" Lysanna called without looking up from the stack of papers. It wasn't until the door slammed shut that Lysanna looked up and saw the Headmaster's face, who was standing in front of her with a friendly grin.

"Today's weather is far too nice to correct papers. I wanted to go for a walk, would you mind joining me for a while?" Albus asked kindly. Lysanna knew she couldn't refuse the Headmaster's request anyway and therefore nodded, even though she actually really needed to get on with her work.

"Those papers won't be running away. Unless the students have played a little prank with the parchments." Albus giggled and Lysanna couldn't help but smile.

"I don't think so, at least the parchment was very well behaved so far.." Lysanna replied, laughing.

The two made their way through the slightly chill corridors and shortly afterwards emerged outside where the sun shone steadily from the blue sky. A beautiful summer day. However, it wasn't too hot, as you might have expected. A cool wind provided the necessary refreshment.

"It really is a pity that you are going, Lysanna. But I've told you that several times already." Albus stated. In fact, after she had revealed her decision to him, the Headmaster had made numerous attempts to persuade her to stay. Unsuccessful.

"I know Albus, I know..." Lysanna replied. The countless attempts were actually starting to get on her nerves, even if Albus certainly didn't mean it badly.

"Don't worry, I really don't intend to make another attempt to change your mind now. Actually, I just wanted to offer you that you can come back here anytime." Albus then continued and Lysanna was actually a little surprised by this generous offer.

"I can't accept that, Albus," Lysanna protested in surprise, once she really understood what that meant.

"No contradictions! You will always be welcome here at Hogwarts if you ever change your mind. It doesn't matter whether it's the day after tomorrow, in three weeks, five months or eight years. A short letter will be enough and we will surely find something for you. I've told you more than often enough that you have been a real asset to this school, but since you didn't want to believe me so far, I guess I have to say it again," Albus explained with a meaningful grin.

Lysanna was more than overwhelmed, in fact some of the tension that the impending return had caused her was just beginning to ease. She had nothing to lose by being welcome here anytime.

"I don't even know how to thank you for this offer." Lysanna stated embarrassed.

"Oh, you could just give me some of these...what's their name again?" Those little muggle sweets that are decorated so nicely?..." Albus began.

"Chocolates?" Lysanna asked, puzzled.

"Yes exactly! Chocolates! A box of these and you've done more than you owe me," Albus stated with satisfaction.

Lysanna had to smile. Albus really was a crazy old bugger, she thought to herself. A very lovable crazy old bugger. A box of chocolates in exchange for the opportunity to return to Hogwarts at any time. An absolutely absurd notion.

"Hello, Professer Dumbledore, sir! Lysanna." Hagrid called in his usual friendly manner as they neared his hut.

"Hagrid! I see the pumpkin harvest looks quite promising this year!" Albus replied, looking at Hagrid's garden. Lysanna gave a friendly smile in greeting.

"A wonderful day fer' a walk!" said Hagrid, nodding.

"Oh yes indeed, especially with such a lovely companion like this young lady here," Albus replied with a grin, and again Lysanna had to smile at the Headmaster's bluntly honest manner.

"Yes sir, 'ndeed. It's a shame yeh're leavin' soon Lysanna, a real pity! But I'm sure yeh'll come by, so, frr tea, righ'? Yer don' jus' ferget about us here, do yer?" Hagrid asked with a touch of concern. Lysanna was painfully reminded of the forthcoming farewell. She would have to say goodbye to everyone, of course she would try to keep in touch, but it just wasn't the same when all you could do was write letters to each other. Hogwarts was a family, everyone was there for the others, even if there were minor disputes from time to time, in the end you could rely on each other.

"Of course Hagrid! There's always time for a cup of tea!" Lysanna answered reassuringly. She really hoped that would work out.

"Speaking of tea! Hagrid, you didn't by any chance put a cauldron on?" Albus interjected.

"As luck would have it, Professer. The tea's jus' ready! One moment. Sit down, sit down!" Hagrid declared hastily, pointing to a bench that was placed in the sun outside his hut.

Lysanna took a seat on the bench next to Albus, the sun was shining on her face and for a moment she managed to forget all the worries and thoughts and just enjoy the moment. The day was just way too beautiful to worry.