And Then There Were Three

Chapter 22

"What?"

"Evelyn and I are getting married," Snape repeated. "I've asked her and she's agreed."

The room was quiet as Snape and Minerva stood, facing each other.

"But you've only just started dating. Don't you think it would be wise to wait a while before jumping into this?"

"I'm not jumping into anything," Snape assured her. "I've been thinking of marrying Evelyn for weeks now, I just didn't think I'd have the courage to actually ask her."

Minerva sighed, but before she could reply, Snape went on, "And I know we've only been dating for a short while, but that's entirely my own fault."

"Perhaps the two of you might—" Albus tried to interrupt but it was no use.

"Have you taken the boys into consideration?" Minerva asked. "This decision effects them as well, you know."

"Of course I have," Snape snapped.

"Severus," Evelyn spoke up, glancing between the two.

"What is it, Mum?" Snape asked as he stepped back from the table and tossed his napkin down. "What is your problem with Evelyn?"

Minerva recoiled as if he'd slapped her. "Evelyn is not who I have a problem with." She turned to Evelyn and reiterated, "I do not have a problem with you."

Evelyn nodded and reached out to squeeze Minerva's hand. "I know," she said softly.

"Then what is it?" Snape demanded. "Tell me, but know that no matter what you say, it won't change my mind."

"Severus," Albus said sharply, catching the attention of everyone at the table except for Minerva, who stood up straighter and stepped away from the table as well, moving to stand in front of her oldest.

"I don't want to see you hurt again!" she said, her eyes watching him fiercely. "Because I was there after Alicia. We all were, and we helped you pick up the pieces and because I don't know that you could handle it a second time! Is it so terrible? To not want to watch your heart break again?"

Snape shook his head and let out a sigh. "Alicia didn't break my heart," he said resolutely. "I broke hers. She would have destroyed herself if she'd stayed with me. I was in no place to be able to sustain a relationship, especially not a healthy one." Snape gripped the edges of the chair Harry sat in, his knuckles turning white, though when he spoke again, his voice was much more calm. "I pushed her away long before she finally left. I wouldn't let her in, Mum. No matter how hard she tried, I kept myself closed off and I made it unbearable for her to stay with me."

Snape glanced around the table. He took in the way Harry and Draco looked up at him, and how he hadn't noticed Harry flinch even once during this conversation. The way Brielle smiled softly beside Draco. He took in Remus sitting quietly with his head bowed and he remembered how only a year ago they couldn't be in the same room together without arguing.

He gestured to his family. "Look around you. That's not the man I am anymore."

***

Dinner had ended soon after Snape's row with Minerva, and though he didn't think she was entirely on board with the idea of his and Evelyn's wedding, she had apologized and everything was alright.

He sat in his armchair with a book opened in his lap, while Draco and Harry — taking advantage of the reprieve from punishment that Snape had granted him in celebration of Draco's adoption — pulled Evelyn and Brielle outside to show them the new, no doubt foolish, stunts they had learned on the skateboards. Snape had seriously considered putting a cushioning charm on the ramps if only to give himself some peace of mind.