//Running Out of Breath // A Severus Snape Story: Book One:

:Part Two: Chapter Three: There's No Place Like London

Chapter Three:

There's No Place Like London

Vicktor was sitting in his sister's room at Hogwarts while she acted as Severus' assistant once more. 

Over the past few months Vicktor awaited for a word from Joseph. There was nothing until that morning... Vicktor held the unopened letter in his hand, his hand resting on his chin. He was in deep thought, there was complete silence in the room aside from the crackle of embers from the fireplace. He finally opened the envelope, breaking the wax seal.

//December 4th// 

'Dear Vicktor,

I know you still doubt me, that's understandable.  

You should, in two months time come to Italy with your sister. 

yes I have been receiving your letters,  

and I know this may not be what you want to hear right now. 

I trust you have told her by now, so that shouldn't be a problem.  

I will wait for you near the Hospital at a coffee shop down the block at three pm.

Best regards, Joseph.

He threw the letter in the fire watching it burn. He got up from his chair grabbing his notebook, scribbling things down. Vicktor let out a sigh replacing the notebook in its proper place within his coat.

...

It was early in the morning, the sky was dotted with gray clouds. Rain poured relentlessly. Adriana looked out the window watching the rain pour as she waited for Severus. She held a small box in her hand, anxiously waiting to give it to him. She walked from the window pacing the room. she was alone for once, Vicktor had left for the time being and wouldn't be back till later in the day. Adriana looked down at the tiny present in her hands once more, biting her lip. something was missing, it looked incomplete. She pulled out her wand tapping the box a few times. each time something on the box changed. The door suddenly opened making her jump. Adriana fumbled around, quickly hiding the present behind her back. Severus walked in closing the door behind him, placing his traveling cloak on a chair. Adriana smiled sweetly, playing with the box behind her back. Severus looked at her with a raised brow, knowing fully well what she was hiding. Adriana never was good at keeping a straight face. He walked up to her placing a soft kiss on her lips, distracting her for a moment. He nimbly slipped the present from her hand stepping back with a smirk on his face.

"That's not fair." she said

Severus pulled out a present of his own from within his coat placing it in her hands. Adriana's face lit up with excitement but she didn't open her present. Severus let out a sigh, opening his first. Adriana bit her lip once more, starting to sway nervously. He pulled at the neat sliver ribbon of the black box, pulling off the top. Inside was a simple leather black book that looked like a brand new, miniature version of the one Adriana always carried around. He opened the book smiling when he saw what was inside. the first two pages were taken up by sketches, the third page had Sonnet 130 written in Adriana's simple cursive handwriting; the other pages were completely blank.

"I thought I'd get creative this year." she said with a smile.

Severus kissed her once more, lingering for a moment. It was simple moments like these that made him forget about the trouble that was brewing; the darkness that was plaguing the wizarding world.