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

Chapter 37

The persistent pecking of the owl's beak against the window tore Lysanna out of her restless sleep. A letter. Immediately her thoughts wandered to Severus. He still hadn't replied to her letter, and there were only ten days left until the start of the school year.

The owl hooted and fluttered into the room, dropping the letter on the floor before disappearing out of the open window. Lysanna picked up the letter carefully. A letter from Hogwarts, bearing the school's official seal. Dumbledore. Her heart raced as she opened the letter and pulled out the paper inside.

Dear Lysanna,

I was expecting your letter sooner! I stand by my word if you stand by yours. As luck would have it, we haven't found a replacement for your old position yet, and you are welcome back at any time.

You should know by now when the Hogwarts Express leaves...

See you here soon, Albus

P.S.: I've always been most fond of chocolate and toffee.

Lysanna had to read the letter several times before the message truly sank in. She could go back to Hogwarts? A feeling of relief washed over her. Ten days – in that time she had to sort everything out. Ten days until she would see Severus again. Even though the thought made her uneasy, she hoped with all her heart that he would give her another chance. She had made a mistake, but hadn't he too? He had kept his past from her. Now it seemed more than foolish to her that she had rejected him just because of that. She had been shocked by his confession, but her love for him hadn't wavered.

For the first time in weeks, she felt joy again. She was looking forward to Hogwarts. This decision felt right. There was no doubt in her mind that Hogwarts was her future.

-

It wasn't until the evening of August 31st that Severus returned to Hogwarts. He had finished the preparations for the new school year before the holidays; it was the same routine every year, with only minor adjustments needed. Being back here didn't change the chaos that still reigned within him. Eight weeks hadn't been nearly enough to get his thoughts in order. It felt more like he was slowly getting used to the emptiness, the pain that Lysanna's absence had caused him. He missed her more than anything.

As he entered his office, his gaze immediately fell on the small stack of letters piled on his desk. Three of the four letters were notifications that the ingredients he had requested from a supplier were back in stock, but when he saw the last letter, his heart nearly stopped. He recognized the delicate handwriting immediately. Lysanna. She had written to him. The letter must have been there for quite some time, as the others were all dated at the end of July and Lysanna's letter was at the very bottom of the pile. Why hadn't anyone forwarded the letter to him? He had tasked Filch with his mail - that was probably where the problem lay.

Holding the unopened letter in his hand, heart racing like a trapped bird, Severus sat down at his desk. Cautiously, he opened the envelope, careful not to damage the contents. For a moment, he even forgot the pain he had been feeling. Lysanna was suddenly present in his life again; she still showed an interest in him.

Slowly, he unfolded the paper.

Dear Severus,

I honestly don't know if you'll even be pleased to receive this letter, but I hope so. I miss you.

Unfortunately, I've found that a lot has changed here over the past year. My return to the Ministry didn't go as planned. I would be grateful if perhaps we could meet for a glass of wine and I could tell you everything. There's news I'd like to share with you.

Lysanna

He had to start and stop several times before he had finished reading the letter entirely, for he kept getting stuck on the words "I miss you". When he had finally read the rest of the letter, the article from the Daily Prophet came flooding back to him. Apparently, Lysanna had been affected too. She had wanted to talk to him about it. With him. And he hadn't been there for her. He hadn't even managed to contact her because he had thought she wouldn't want to. And now he had to realise that she had probably waited over a month for a reply from him. He would write to her. The thought involuntarily brought a barely noticeable smile to his face. He would write to her tomorrow evening. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope. He would have to give it a chance...