Mist and Vapors

Voldemort has been defeated. Yet there are still Death Eaters out for blood, and old enemies wanting revenge. Their plans for Hogwarts Potions master don't include anything good. A new teacher, a holiday, picnics on the beach, murder, deceit.

In which Severus decides to go on holiday, finds it more of a challenge than he thinks it would be, and goes Apothecary shopping.

Chapter 3, in which Severus meets an old enemy and has a less than pleasant lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.

As Severus' not entire successful attempt at taking time off draws to a close, he is again faced with the fact that he is 'persona non grata' as far as most of the wizarding world is concerned. Hannah finds out the hard way about his aversion to nicknames - and what is his problem with werewolves?

To his great relief, Severus finally gets to bid adieu to St. Comgan and returns to Hogwarts - where an entirely unpleasant surprise is waiting for him.

Severus Snape is not enjoying himself very much - dead things in his bed, run-ins with Minerva, the blasted werewolf is back, expecting him to brew Wolfsbane, and then, to top it all off...

Chapter 7: Clueless Spy.

Our favorite Potions master receives rather unwelcomed mail, and Dumbledore meddles where he is not wanted. So who is behind all the "surprises"? Snape thinks through the situation while brewing Lupin's Wolfsbane potion.

While Snape is having quite ungracious thoughts while serving Lupin his Wolfsbane, one of his enemies thinks back on the road that brought him to this point. Really, it had all been Severus Snape's fault...

Since Severus is less than forthcoming, Hannah goes after the truth. What she finds is horrifying. How can she reconcile the picture the articles paint with the image of the man she thought she knew?

Hannah is confronted by McGonagall, and finds out all about Snape's travesty of a trial, and some of her father's history with him.

Things heat up with an attack in the dungeons. Obviously, whoever is behind the threats to Severus has tired of the "dead mole" game.

Snape and Hannah have to be cooped up in the same room for several hours - and Snape isn't in a good mood. But then, when is he ever?

Snape's attempt to mend fences with the house-elves proves to be a bit awkward. Hannah gets a surprise visit which complicates things.

Snape saw Hannah talking to her dastardly father - and of course assumes the worst. What else did you expect? - So what's a girl to do?

Settling the Matter:

Peeves, Snape, and a coffee break. "It was entirely possible that he had only wished to inform her about the availability of caffeinated beverages, but she hoped there might be a bit more to it than that."

“As a matter of fact, I don’t see why you get to put your life on the line for people you don’t particularly like for years, and I barely get to do it once..."

"I’m hypothesizing that using bee venom instead of wasp stings might increase the efficacy while concurrently reducing or even eliminating the occurrence of unwanted consequences induced by the ingestion of the potion.”

A surprise birthday party for Snape - and this sounded like a good idea to whom?

"He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had taken pride in his accomplishments. He could not even remember the last time there had been anyone to tell."

A meeting between Severus and Remus does not go at all well.

Snape catches flu, which is not good news for anyone within a 300 ft radius. Later, an owl brings an unwelcome message.

The curse intruded into his mind like a dart, quickly, incisively - and just as quickly, Severus had built up layer upon layer of protection around the intrusion. Trained to shut out invasion of his mind, one result of being a skillful Occlumens was the ability to resist the Imperius curse much easier. But his enemy didn’t know that.

“Don’t do that again, Severus,” Pettigrew petulantly interrupted his thoughts. “You leave me no choice but to punish you.”

“In a few hours, you will pay, Snape, for everything you’ve ever done. And none of your connections will help you.” After Severus and Hannah (barely) make it back to Hogwards, it turns out Pettigrew still a few tricks up his sleeve.

Injured and chained to a chair, Severus Snape has to again face the Wizengamot. With his mother as the main witness, is there any way out?

He gave her a long, searching look. He could see the need in her eyes, reflecting the horrors she had been subjected to over the last twenty-four hours. His heart softened – in one day, she had probably experienced more strain, terror, and pain than in all of her previous existence. Small wonder she was coming undone. He could understand that, could understand the need for someone to be there when the inevitable nightmares came, for someone to hold at bay the ghosts in the darkness. There had been times enough when he had in vain wished for the same.

He had awakened with a start, gasping at some instantly forgotten dream-image. She had not even woken up, yet her mere presence had somehow been comforting. It had seemed an unaccustomed, almost guilty, pleasure to feel her warm body next to his, to be able to press his face against her hair and hold her tighter and pretend she belonged there.

Cautiously, Snape advanced towards the dais in the middle of the room. His father’s body was laid out on a white marble slab supported by two columns, preserved by a cooling charm, hands folded across his chest, looking solemn and pious in death.

“Talk about what? My father?” he interrupted her, spinning around to face her. “Why would I want to talk about him? He was never a very patient man, nor a kind one. But that chapter is closed now. And no, I don’t have the least desire to talk about it.”

For a moment he stood, bowed, holding his father’s wand. He took a deep breath, and then the slender rod, controlled by his own wand, floated high up into the air above the grave, turning gracefully in the gently falling rain.

"Personally, if I had to make a choice among Hogwarts’ eligible bachelors, I’d go for Lupin," she said. "At least he only turns into a snarling, biting thing once a month at predetermined times. Snape can manage that at the drop of a hat.”

"Hannah, there is something you have to understand. When it comes to his abilities and knowledge, Severus is confident to the point of arrogance. When it comes to more personal areas of his life, I have seen flobberworms with more self-confidence."

“Look,” he demanded, pointing at the reflection. “Just look – look at the man I am now…” There was bitterness in his voice. “Most of the wizarding world sees me as contemptible - a Death Eater and murderer who got away with it. They would think of you the same way.

Remus wrinkled his nose as Severus opened the fridge – from the stench that arose, it appeared that most of the perishables had perished already. A bowl of something in the back, covered in black mold, looked like it was about to sprout new lifeforms.

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

Voldemort has been defeated, but for Severus Snape, the war isn't over yet. A farce of a trial leaves his reputation in ruins. Old enemies seeking revenge are out for blood. Bitter and disillusioned, he doesn't hold out much hope that anything will ever change. But just maybe, he doesn't have to stand alone this time....

The count-down is running - one day left until the wedding. Dumbledore returns from his conference, and Severus gets an unexpected wedding present.

Now complete. -- For a moment, he felt as if he had stepped into another reality and was watching some other Severus getting married to some other Hannah. It seemed…surreal. Like a scene from a dream.