FicWad

Chapter 13: Until We Meet Again

When at last the night melted into daylight, Melodia was sleeping peacefully in the arms of the man she loved. Severus watched her sleep and smiled to himself. He had never known anyone quite like her. She was very special to him; more special than anyone or anything ever in his life.

He loved her much more than he loved himself, and still had difficulty accepting that she loved him the same way in return. The only thing he was certain of was how grateful he was to be with her and experience the sheer delight of sharing love this amazing woman. Melodia stirred, and as if reading his thoughts, moaned sleepily, snuggling warmly against his chest.

A knot quickly formed in his throat, "My darling girl," he said huskily as kissed the top of her head very gently, "I hope you know just how much I love you."

He could barely believe how quickly and how deeply she had become a part him, and he worried that the Dark Lord, or his followers would sense that as well. If any of them found that he was alive, or learned of her existence, their lives would be worthless.

He had long since accepted the risks to his own life, but now there was Melodia. If your Occlumency skills betray you now, you will have put this angel's life in jeopardy, he scolded himself inwardly. So what are you going to do old boy? He closed his eyes, forcing his mind to push thoughts of her aside. It was the most difficult thing he had ever attempted, but he had to practice doing this now, because he felt certain this ability would be tested later.

He had many decisions to make about his particular role in this war, but for now he was just where he needed to be; holding his sleeping angel in his arms.

She stirredslightly then snuggled into his chest. He kissed the top her head again and squeezed her tightly.

"Shaggy?" she asked sleepily.

"Yes, Love, I am here." He whispered lovingly.

"What time is it?" She yawned and stretched her arm over his mid section.

He knew that it was time to get up and face the day and he dreaded her leaving, although he knew she had to go.

"I don't want to get up, Darling. Isn't there a time turner somewhere?" she half teased.

He laughed softly, massaging the length of her back. "I wish I could say yes to that, Loddie; for so many reasons," he said sadly.

"Oh Severus, I love you so," she said as she dreamily allowed him to continue the massage. "I can't believe that I have to leave you," she sniffled, fighting back tears as she said it.

Snape felt his heart was breaking. He had never imagined having someone love or want him so desperately. Before he could respond, Melodia shifted her weight, pushing him to his back as she did. She rolled over on top his still naked body and kissed him passionately on his mouth, then smiled seductively.

"Melodia Dumbledore!" he said with a sly grin. "What in the name of heaven are you doing?"

Kissing the flesh beneath his earlobe, she purred, "You talk too much, Professor," then giggled softly allowing his hands to travel her body.

"I mean to have you once again before I leave, dear Shaggy; and this time, it will be on my terms," she crooned as she slid down his lean body, kissing every inch along the way. He quivered with delight as she pleasured him realizing that he enjoyed experiencing her terms immensely.

"You are absolutely intoxicating, my Loddie," he breathed, as he pulled her to him. "I will never understand how you can possibly love me; God knows, I am not a handsome man, and I truly do not deserve you," he said sadly, as he continued to hold her close. Melodia raised her head suddenly, and he saw aggression in her eyes.

"Please let me finish, Love. I promise to allow you to admonish me then." He said silkily, as he kissed her nose and gently pushed her head down to rest on his chest again.

"What I meant to say is that I am not proud of who I am. I am exceedingly ashamed of the many horrid choices that I have made over the course of my life." He paused momentarily, and continued, "I also realize that your uncle has told you about my past, warned you of my nasty tempered nature, and possibly protested our union from the very start; yet in spite of it all, you still fell in love with me."

"Well of course I did, Shaggy." I have been in love with you since I was fifteen years old. You know that." She said scolding him. "And just so you know," she added, "my uncle never spoke ill of you, he said you were a loner, and that you could be difficult to get close to, but he most certainly did not protest our union. The only fear he had was that you would not be capable of returning my feelings. He knew that would have left me crushed and disappointed."

She reached up and kissed him lingeringly on the mouth, then said, "I love you because of the way you are, not in spite of it." Then she kissed him again holding his face in her hands.

"That is what I find amazing about you, Love. You don't see me the way others do. I know you don't, or you wouldn't be in my arms right now." He pulled her to him, and she thought she felt him sob.

"Shaggy, please, don't do this to yourself. It breaks my heart."

Silence passed between them for a moment, and then he spoke again.

Until you walked into my life a few weeks ago, I had no idea that I was capable of feeling this kind of love, much less showing affection."

She looked at him mischievously, and teased, "I surely am proud that you were wrong about that one Professor!"

With that he rolled her over to her back and covered her mouth with his.

Melodia helped her uncle downstairs to the study after breakfast.

She seated him behind an antique Victorian style desk that her foster mother found at an estate auction. Albus looked very natural sitting behind it. It was as if it were purchased with him in mind. She could tell he was recovering very well from his ordeal. Although he was not completely healed, his hand looked much better and she believed that he was doing remarkably well for someone his age.

"Please make yourself comfortable," Dumbledore motioned to the wing backed chair directly across the desk. She flinched when she sat in it, her backside still tender as a result of the playful punishment she had received only hours before.

"Have you had your potion this morning, Uncle?"

Dumbledore looked at her wearily, "Yes dear, I have. I must admit that it has become rather mundane however, because I do feel much better."

Melodia returned his look scornfully.

"I'm glad you do, Uncle, but you need to continue taking it. Severus says you will continue taking it for at least a few more days. Then he will re-evaluate the need for it." He smiled slightly and waved her away with his hand.

"I appreciate your concern, dear niece, but we have other matters to attend to that preclude my medication. At least, for the time being." She nodded dutifully.

"It has occurred to me that Harry will, no doubt, insist on proof regarding your identity. He is very young, but he is highly vigilant. He will be on his guard about strangers, especially in light of recent events."

"I thought about that after our last meeting, but I was...." Her voice dissipated.

"Rather preoccupied?" he finished as he looked over the top of his spectacles.

She flushed again, wondering just how much he knew about her encounter with Severus, and prayed that it was his only his intuition causing him to look at her that way.

He eyed her inquiringly, "You appear more relaxed now. I trust you and Severus have since, had your," he paused as if searching for the correct phrase, "enlightening conversation?"

Melodia flushed with discomfort at his question, and replied more hoarsely than she intended, "Yes, we have." He smiled in acceptance of her answer, and adjusted his half moon spectacles.

"I am pleased that you have, my dear. There is no room for distractions now," he said firmly.

Feeling the need to change the course of this conversation, she asked, "Is that for me, Uncle?" nodding towards a blue carrying case in front of him.

Dumbledore handed Melodia the large case. "Yes it is. You will find that I have taken measures to assure Harry that you are not a Death Eater."

Melodia looked surprised for a moment. She quickly remembered Severus telling her about Polyjuice Potion, how it was sometimes used by Death Eaters, as well as Harry's knowledge of its use.

"What is it?" she asked as she opened the case. Dumbledore rose to his feet and rounded the desk to stand beside her.

"This, my dear is my pensive. It contains a few memories of mine that Harry has already seen, and a few more recent ones, that he has not." Again she looked curiously at her uncle. "You do recall what a pensive is, I trust?" She grinned broadly remembering her years at Hogwarts.

"Yes Uncle, I remember you showed this to me once when I was very young, and I have had some experience with them during my school years." Albus smiled remembering the wonder in her eyes as a child when he demonstrated its' use to her, as he had done for Harry.

"Once Harry has seen this, he should recognize it as mine. I want you to invite him to browse about the memories inside of it. This may help to set him at ease; then I would like you to remove some memories of your own regarding time you have spent here with me, and... anyone else you choose..." he paused, she was sure for effect, "for him to see first hand." She admired his way of thinking. "Do you understand?" he asked as he rounded the desk back to his seat.

"Yes, I do. Thank you Uncle Albus," she kissed his aging cheek, "I promise to return in the company of Mr. Potter as quickly as possible." With a smile and a wink, Dumbledore waved to her as she left the study.

"I have every confidence that you will, Melodia. God Speed, my dear."

The long walk back to the East Wing was a thoughtful one. There were so many things to remember, and so many others to feel concern over. She entered her bedroom, crossed the floor to the foot of her bed, and sank to her knees in prayer.

Dear Lord, help me find Harry Potter, and bring him here so that he will be safe. Tears welled in her eyes, And Lord, I ask that you give Severus the strength he will require to wait for me, and the patience to work with Harry when he arrives.

I further ask that you grant tolerance to them both so they might accomplish our task of exacting your justice upon the evil tyrant Voldermort. Amen.

Melodia rose to her feet, and turned to see Severus in the doorway, watching her.

"You pray for me Love?" he asked softly as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. She ran to him and he swept her off floor into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lovingly.

"Yes Darling. I have prayed for everyone involved in this battle, including myself, but especially for you, Shaggy." she kissed him again then pressed her face to his, "especially for you."

He was overcome with emotion. He had never bothered to pray for himself and knew of no one else that had ever prayed on his behalf before.

"I only hope that your God finds me worthy of the help you asked of him," his tone was that of doubt and sorrow.

"He does, Severus. I know he does, or he would never have allowed me to return to you." She smiled through teary eyes, as he kissed her affectionately and lowered her to feet again.

Together they walked down the corridor and descended the stairs, her hand in his. Once in the foyer, she stood on tiptoe to kiss her tall wonderful wizard goodbye.

In a voice she hoped sounded steadier than it was she told him, "I will be back in a few days, Darling, and you needn't worry, I will be very careful." Severus embraced her tightly.

"I'm holding you that one, Miss Dumbledore," He said as he gently kissed her lips.

"Until we meet again, my love," she said forcing a smile.

The next instant she had stepped away from him and disappeared into thin air.

Feeling suddenly very empty inside, with the exception of his very heavy heart, he realized that Professor Severus Snape was experiencing something that he never had before; he was going to miss her.

He brushed a tear from his eye as he turned and ascended the staircase.