Until the Last Petal Falls

Until the Last Petal Falls

By: Black Hermione Angel

Hello, Amaya, dear.

Oh, I'm fine, thank you very much. And how are you?

That's very good. And Jonathan and the kids?

Well, I'm glad to hear that. I do adore your children.

There might be someone….

Well, you see, that's what I came to talk to you about, dear. There is someone, but….

Oh, yes, I know. I know. That's what I wanted to talk about.

Yes, I do work with him—

Amaya, you know very well that you and Jonathan work together. I don't want to hear it.

Yes, yes, I'll tell you. I need to tell someone anyway. Where shall I start?

All right, six months ago I walked down the long hallway in between passing periods, looking for Potter, Weasley and Granger. I needed a word with Potter about the upcoming Quidditch match, while Weasley and Granger needed to be spoken to about their reports on turning teacups in white mice. Granger'd done marvelously. And Weasley…hadn't. He just didn't apply himself as much as he should. He had a brilliant mind and a lot of talent and I felt like I was the only one that could see that. He was wasting it on being an idiot. I turned a corridor and ran smack into Severus.

"Ouch, " I muttered, rubbing my arm where the books Severus had been carrying hit it.

"Do watch where you are going, won't you, Minerva?" he asked me, in the cold, hateful voice of his.

"After you, " I replied, glaring at him. He stared at me for a moment, studying me with his icy black eyes. Then he nodded, for some moronic reason, turned and walked off. I glared after him, hating him. But at the same time, I felt a rush of emotion course through me that I'd only felt once before in my life. When James and I were courting back in our fifth year. I'd look at him and feel a fierce love run through me. We were the happiest, most perfect couple ever. Then he broke my heart, by breaking up with me for Lily Evans, that idiot, stuck-up Ravenclaw girl. She was smart, yes, and plenty popular, but that doesn't mean she wasn't vain. I don't know what James saw in her. True, I didn't know her that well. But—

Oh, of course I feel bad about Lily's death. If James loved her as much as he did, then she couldn't be all that bad, could she? And if she had a wonderful son like Potter…well, I didn't say she was a complete bitch, did I?

And, where was I again?

Oh, yes. I watched Severus walk away, wondering what had happened in his life to make him so hateful. Yes, I know about his being a Death Eater and all, of course I do, but before that. When he was at school. Why was he so angry? I wondered about that a lot.

Amaya, you don't understand. Just shut up and listen to me. I need help. I need to talk about this.

Thank you.

Anyway, Severus glanced back and saw me watching him.

"Is everything all right, Minerva?" he asked. I nodded and blushed a bit. I saw concern in his eyes, real concern. He shrugged and then began to walk away again. I stood in the corridor for God knows how long, thinking about him. Then Potter ran into me. He came flying around the corridor, his already mused hair sticking up everywhere. He was puffing and looked as though he'd been running from someone.

"Potter? What are you doing?" I asked him. He glanced up at me.

"Oh, sorry, Professor, " he replied distractedly, "I was running from Ron. He, Fred, and George…er…" he trailed off and I could tell that the Weasley's had enchanted something they weren't supposed to.

"I see, " was all I said. There was a pause and then:

"Hey! Harry! Where'd you get to?" someone shouted. Potter jumped and looked around guiltily.

"I need a word with you, Potter. I'm afraid the enchanted snowballs will have to wait, " I told him. He gaped at me, shocked.

"Mouth closed, please, Potter. You look better without the gaping mouth, " I told him. He shut his mouth with a snap. I turned and began to walk back to my office. When we got there, I found Granger standing by my doorway.

"Professor!" she said upon seeing me. Then her eyes fell on Harry and she tried to hide a smile.

"Is Harry in trouble?" she asked rather timidly.

Amaya, really. Potter is almost always in trouble. It's like a hobby for him. He and Weasley sneaking around at all hours of the night—

Yes, Granger sometimes joins them.

How do I know? I am a teacher, Amaya. I just know. It's like a sixth sense. Now would you let me continue?

All right.

I told Granger the Potter was not in trouble, but I needed to speak with him about the match (Gryffindor against Slytherin. I always hate playing against Slytherin and I know Potter does too). When I said that, Potter looked extremely relived. So did Granger. He smiled at her, and I swear she blushed when he did. I've always known there's something between them, no matter how hard Harry tries to convince himself he likes that Chang girl.

"Granger, I need to speak with you about your report. In a minute, " I told her. She nodded and I went into the office with Potter. He sat in a chair, looking at me expectantly.

"As you know, Potter, the match is in less than a week. Gryffindor is in the lead, but Slytherin's only fifty points behind us. They could catch up very easily if they win this match. They could take the lead with both the House and Quidditch cups. Now, I know you're going to hear this enough time from Wood—"

Oh, I didn't tell you? Wood quit the reserve team to coach Quidditch. He said that he loved coaching rather than playing.

All right…

Oh yes. Thank you.

"—But we must win that cup. We cannot loose. We've won for five years in a row and I don't even want to imagine the look on Severus' face if we loose…" I trailed off, shuddering. Potter nodded, understanding completely.

"Yes, Professor, " was all he said.

"That's all, " I informed him. He started to get up when something occurred to me.

"Potter…" I began. He looked at me, puzzled.

"Hermione's not going to wait forever, " I told him. He looked at me blankly for a moment, and then nodded again.

"I'll remember that, " he replied, grinning.

"See that you do. Would you send her in, please?" I said. Potter stared at me for a moment longer and I could see him puzzling over something. Then he left and a moment later, Granger walked in.

What?

What's the point? What's the point of what?

Of course there's a point to this story.

I'm not at that part yet. Can't you wait two more minutes? Well, maybe more than two, more like five…

Amaya, really, if you're so anxious for me to continue, then do shut up.

Ok, well, I talked to Granger, walked with her to the Great Hall and there I saw Severus again. He smiled at me when I walked in and I suddenly found myself wondering how I looked. I smiled back, tentatively. Then I noticed Potter watching me intently. He looked at Severus to me and then back again. And I knew he was putting it together. Potter's very sharp. Severus walked over to me.

"Minerva, " he nodded at me.

"Hello, Severus, " I said.

"Anticipating the match?" he asked, casually leaning against the doorframe.

"Not much, " I replied. Severus smirked.

"Yes, well, we are only fifty points behind, " he reminded me.

"Won't make a sickles' worth of difference if Gryffindor wins, " I snapped. Severus' eyes widened. He straightened up, looking at me with frank surprise.

"Who says Gryffindor's going to win?" he asked softly, leaning towards me. I felt my heart beating wildly. What is it about him that entrances me so? I don't know. But there's something. He's not handsome, not really. In his own, dark way he is. To me, anyway. His eyes burned into my own as I stared at him, trying not to blink. His eyes felt like they were drilling holes into me and I began to feel a bit nervous.

"Minerva, " he whispered and goosebumps rose on my arms. I really did love it when he whispered my name.

"Yes?" I replied and at this time I was downright terrified. His face was close to my own.

"Walk out to the lake with me?" he asked, holding out one of his hands. I blushed a little and took it. I could feel Potter watching me—us—but I didn't care. Severus and I walked to the lake, holding hands all the way. I felt little electric jolts run through me at his touch. I've loved Severus Snape for years. Years and years. Longer than I ever loved James, that's for sure. Severus took a deep breath and looked at me, his eyes glittering.

"Minerva, " he whispered again. But this time, I could not answer. I only nodded and I'm sure my eyes were like dinner plates. Then, he kissed me and I was swept away on a wonderful, floating cloud. It was just Severus and I, two people madly in love with one another, but too stubborn to admit it. When we finally broke apart, he looked at me and grinned. When he grinned, it made his whole face light up and he became a different man. A happy, loving, handsome man. Severus didn't smile often, but when he did, it was like a whole knew person took over him. He plucked a beautiful red rose and handed it to me.

"I love you, Minerva, " he murmured. I saw him blush slightly when he said that and I know I was blushing as well.

"Until the last petal falls, " he added, smiling sadly at the flower I held in my hands. I only nodded silently and he kissed me again. A few days later, Severus and I were in my classroom, talking. He took my hand and held it. Granger and Potter walked in, also holding hands. I raised my eyebrows at Potter and he grinned.

I didn't make her wait, his eyes told me. I smiled at him and squeezed Severus' hand tight.

Oh, this?

This is the rose stem, as you can plainly see.

Last week, the last petal fell.

~end~

NOTE: The Charm thingy Snape used was temporary. He didn't know that, though