Venus Risen (Snape/Student Story)

Chapter 18

The next morning
Venus' POV

I rolled over, slowly opening my eyes. Severus was already looking at me, and I rose an eyebrow playfully.
"It's creepy to stare, you know."
He smirked, but then his eyes turned gentle as he looked down at me.
"You're very beautiful when you're asleep." He whispered, placing a piece of messy hair behind my ear.
My breath caught in my throat, but I managed to laugh. "So you say."
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, sitting up. I let out a short gasp as a shard of pain ran through my side.
Severus moved over to me quickly, eyes full of worry. He placed his hand on my skin, searching.
"What's the matter?"
I chuckled. "I forgot that Alena injured me last night. It's nothing serious, I promise."
He grabbed his wand from the nightstand. "Let me heal you."
I nodded as I watched him raise his wand and mutter a healing spell.
I let out a sigh of relief as the pain faded, and the small wound closed itself up.
I smiled. "Thank you."
He nodded, hand caressing my cheek. He kissed me then, and I smiled against his lips. After all this time, he still made my heart flutter.
We pulled back, and I looked down at my hands, fidgeting.
Severus gripped my chin gently, making me look up at him. "Are you alright, Venus?"
I met his onyx eyes. "There's something I have to do. Will you come with me?"
******
Later that day
I let out a deep breath as Severus and I walked hand in hand up the short hill.
We stopped in front of the grave and I released Sev's hand, crouching down.
"Hey, Dad. I don't know if you can hear me or not, but I have fantastic news, a lot of it, actually.
I found the person who took you from me, and now they will get everything they deserve. I promised I would, and I did. Now, I hope you can rest peacefully.
There is one more thing that I have to tell you, Dad. I'm pregnant, and happily in a relationship. It's just sad that you won't be here to meet your grandchild. But don't worry, I will make sure he or she knows how amazing their grandpa was, and how much you would have loved them if you were here."
I took in a breath, as I felt the tears starting to fill my eyes. I felt Sev's comforting hand on my shoulder as we sat there in silence.

"That was beautiful, my darling."
I looked around, as her voice hovered around us.
A silver light illuminated the space behind my father's grave, and when it faded, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
I stood up.
It can't be...
"Mom!!" I exclaimed, as I sidestepped my father's gravestone, and launched myself into my mother's arms.
She hugged me tightly, and I knew it was real. She was really down here.
The tears were now falling down my face silently.
I pulled back, staring at her in wonder as she wiped away the tears from my face.
"What are you doing here? Why are you here? How--"
She held up a hand. "Sssh, sweetheart. You can thank your grandfather."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "What?"
She smiled wide, and I could see her eyes starting to fill with tears.
"He granted me permission."
My eyes widened. "Permission?"
"I can stay down here with you, Venus. For good."
My mouth dropped open, and I started to cry again.
"You can?" I managed to say.
"I can. I have to return to Olympus once a week to keep up with my duties, but I can stay. I won't leave your side ever again, my darling."
I let out a breath. "Wow."
Although my mind was blurred, I turned around, smiling at Severus. I motioned for him to approach and he did, and I looked between him and my mother.
"Mom, this is Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts, and in simplest terms, the love of my life."
Severus held out his hand to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
My mom's eyebrows rose, and she gave me a teasing smirk.
"I must say, he's a lot more attractive in person, Venus."
I stifled a laugh, as Sev's cheeks burned bright red. However, keeping his class and composure, he just smiled.
My mom shook his hand.
I looked between the two most important people in my life.
My hand found my stomach; three.
Severus met my gaze and we smirked at each other. He shot me a wink, and I laughed a bit.
I turned to my mother, gripping her hands.
"Come on. There's somewhere I'd like to show you. A little place I like to call, Hogwarts."
************
A/N: there will be one more chapter of this story, and then the epilogue. x