Next Chapter

Chapter 4 Sunshine and Snape

Sunlight streamed through open blinds, bathing the sleeping woman in light.

A secret smile played at Severus' lips as he gazed upon his wife. She looked so peaceful, and dare he say it, happy.

He knew, however, that as soon as her eyes would open they'd cloud with worry and fear. The rest of her face would sport an emotionless mask of indifference.

Already prepared for the day ahead of him, he sat next to the woman's sleeping form and ran his fingers through her hair, along the side of her face and down her neck. He did this a few times and she unconsciously edged closer to snuggle into his thigh.

A true, but small smile appeared this time on the former professor's lips and he watched her as her eyes opened and blinked in the sunlight.

As he suspected, there was concern in her eyes, yet she smiled all the same.

"The sunshine is so lovely up here." Eliza whispered hoarsely. Her throat constricted from sleep. "Nice change."

He knew that she hadn't seen the sun in many months. It explained her deathly pale skin. She was far paler than usual and people started to talk. They believed her to be ill, but the reality was that the windows in Spinner's End had been boarded up to make the place seem bare and abandoned. It worked.

The man nodded. "I quite agree with you, my love. It's rather warm compared to the permanently chilly dungeons."

A tiny bubble of laughter escaped her lips and the sound was music to his ears. She hadn't laughed in ages. It had felt like forever.

"Too true, darling." She replied, brushing away curls and sitting up in bed.

Severus admired her silently. Her dark, wild curls cascaded down her back and a few strands fell to frame her face. Her eyes were slightly puffy from having just woken up. Her white nightgown hugged her frame. Groggy, but still beautiful.

Her husband offered her a hand and helped her stand.

Once standing, she wrapped her arms around his torso and leaned into his chest, hugging him tightly. He too warped his arms around her protectively and kissed the top of her head.

"Tell me, Severus." Eliza whispered. "What were we like before?"

His heart sank. He had forgotten that all her memories of their time together had been wiped from her mind. He was surprised that she'd married him all the same, considering she didn't even know him. All she knew was that he loved her and she had loved him too.

"We were in love." The man replied, emotion catching in his throat. "Irrevocably and irrationally in love."

***

The day was long and boring. The students were thick and very dull. No excitement whatsoever.

Eliza sighed, waiting for the final minutes of class to end. As soon as they did, one of the other professors appeared at the door and lead them to the Great Hall for supper.

Everything was done on a schedule now, just like it was when the Chamber of Secrets had been opened.

The students weren't safe. Everyone knew it, yet the teachers kept up the facade of safety.

Eliza ran up the stairs until she got to the infirmary. She gave Poppy the potions she'd requested and followed her to one of the curtained off areas for her medical examination.

***

Eliza didn't show up for supper and Severus started to worry. What if something had happened?