Keeping Emma

Chapter 13: An Unexpected Visitor

The day after Christmas, Emma sat in her room putting the final touches on the letter she was writing to Severus. She felt so much better today. She had slept very well that night, she thought, remembering her mom coming to her and laying close beside her. Then, early this morning, Natalie had come in to massage away her backache, bringing her the early morning dose of Strengthening Potion mixed in fruit juice.

She heard the intercom in the foyer ring and her father's voice saying, "This is Ambassador Dalton."

A male voice, probably that of one of the young Marines who guarded the building said, "Mr. Ambassador, there is a visitor here, a Professor Albus Dumbledore. He says he has an appointment, but it is not in your book. Oh, wait, it is there. I must have not noticed it before."

Emma noticed that her father was silent for several seconds before saying, "Send him up." Then, "Natalie, please show the Professor to my library."

In the glass enclosed lift, Professor Dumbledore stood sedately, wearing a suit of deep plum that looked about forty years out of date. A small, benign smile was on his face. Through the side of his mouth he muttered, "Now do not make me regret bringing you, Severus. You stay under James' invisibility cloak, no matter what. Not a word, understand?"

"Yes, Headmaster, I know," hissed Severus. "I won't screw this up." Severus had nagged and pleaded for the chance to come along, just so he could see if she was all right.

The lift opened onto the small foyer of the third floor living quarters. Severus saw the nasty red-haired kid waiting as the lift glided into place and the door opened.

"Good morning, Headmaster," she said. "This is a surprise. My father awaits you in his library. This way, please."

When Natalie had shown the headmaster into the library, her father looked up and said, "Thank you, Natalie. Please ask Viola to come in here, and make sure Emma stays in her room."

"Surely, Ambassador," said Professor Dumbledore, "you do not believe that I would do anything to upset or harm Emma."

"Always better to err on the side of caution, Professor."

"It was one of the most terrible moments of my life. I hated the thought of my school becoming a prison, but I wanted to spare her any further hurt. Could you imagine her being subjected to the Dementors of Azkaban? The Ministry acted under the auspices of the 1692 International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy."

"Exactly. However, your Minister conveniently forgot that the witches and wizards of the United States never signed that Statute, nor will we ever. We did not even exist as a nation in 1692. Then, after our Revolution, there was no way that we would betray our country by entering into any agreement with the enemy. We are Americans first and Wizards second. We will never hand over our sovereignty to any foreign entity. The Supreme Coven's only law is the Old Wiccan Rede. 'An it harm none, do what ye will.' We co-exist in a state of perfect love, perfect trust, and perfect peace with our non-magical brothers and sisters."

Professor Dumbledore slid his hand into his robes and pulled out two bottles. "I would welcome the opportunity to debate politics with you another day, Ambassador Dalton. I came here today to promote the reunion of Severus and Emma. I have brought Emma's Strengthening Potion and tonic. Severus was most perturbed that she did not have them. I asked my Nurse to make up fresh bottles, which she sealed. You can rest assure that neither has been tampered with."

At that moment, the door opened and Viola entered. Both Michael and Professor Dumbledore stood. "Natalie said you wanted me, Michael?" she asked.

"Yes, Viola, this is Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. Professor, allow me to introduce Viola Gianni, Emma's mother."

"How do you do? I recognize you from the Muggle newspapers. I want to say how deeply I regret the pain and worry that you were put through."

"But you didn't regret it enough to end it, did you? Do you have any idea what it is like to be told that one's child is dead, Professor, and left to believe it for months? You were a part of this conspiracy. I'm sure you will understand if I am less than polite."

Severus stood, silent and invisible, his back to the bookcases that lined the wall from floor to ceiling, staring directly across into the eyes of his enemy, the man who had taken Emma from him. He noted the softening of the man's eyes as they followed Emma's mother as she took the empty chair in front of his desk.

"I was, actually, planning on coming to Hogwarts this afternoon to bring your potions professor a letter from Emma. It was a deal we worked out. Each week, I will allow her to write him a letter. In return, she will calm down, eat, and generally take care of herself."

"Well, I will be happy to deliver the letter for you, Ambassador," said Professor Dumbledore.

"I had hoped to have a chance to talk with him. My daughter Natalie seems to think that I might possibly be wrong about their relationship."

Professor Dumbledore said, "The main point of this visit is to see Emma so I can tell her husband if she is well. Why, exactly, Ambassador, have you taken such an interest in Emma?"

"I am not doing this for political gain, as some think. I have a personal stake in this. Viola and I were friends back before Emma was born." He looked at Viola and smiled as he saw her face turn pink. "Some nine months before she was born. I am Emma's father. I never knew that Viola was pregnant when we parted. But, when I saw Viola on television and in the papers, when I read about Emma, learned her birthdate, saw the pictures of her with those rather distinctive green eyes. I knew, in an instant, that she was mine. I made some enquiries. I'm sure you can understand why I had to rescue her."

"Ah, I see," said Professor Dumbledore. "Severus told me that he saw rage in your eyes last Monday at the trial, that this was personal."

"I guess he's more insightful than I give him credit for."

Severus stood there, not daring to make a sound, his stomach churning as he realized that he would do no less for his own daughter if the situation was reversed. Hell, if some man had done to his daughter what Severus had done to Emma, they would never find the body. He was fearful that Emma might begin to listen to them and begin to hate him for what he had done to her.

"He does not have her under any bewitchment. They have truly come to love each other. This separation is not good for either of them or that baby. Emma is not supposed to be upset."

Michael opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out a file, tossing it on his desk. "There is the question of his character. I had him investigated. People say that he came to school knowing more dark magic than most people know in their old age. People told me of his troubled childhood, there are those who say that he was thick as thieves with the Death Eaters, that he was Voldemort's chief potion maker. Some say that he has fooled you."

"If you've investigated him as fully as you say you have--"

"Yes, I know. You testified that he was a spy for the Order of the Phoenix and that he provided information to help in the fight. But I notice that he never gave any information that actually resulted in the capture or death of Voldemort. It was, I believe, an infant who defeated him, an accidental reversal of a killing curse? The information he provided could not have been too helpful."

"Voldemort trusted nobody completely," objected Professor Dumbledore. "Severus provided me with the information that the Potters were in danger, which allowed me time to help them go into hiding. Unfortunately, they were betrayed by a man they considered a friend."

"It was a tragic event for all concerned. But so was what happened to my daughter. I have to do what I can to make sure that Emma is choosing him of her own free will, that she is not being manipulated or abused. You heard the testimony. You even knew about what he had done to her."

"At the time, it seemed the best thing to do. Severus had behaved in a dispicable manner, I agree. But she was in love with him, possibly already pregnant. If she was to have any chance at happiness, I believed that it had to be with him. A fresh start for the two of them seemed the best course of action. He was remorseful over his actions. The incident with the Silver Circlet was truly an accident, and he assures me that Healer Selma made an astoundingly premature leap to her conclusions."

Michael sat back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the desk, thinking. "Viola, would you ask Emma to come in here?" he finally said.

Viola got up and left the library, returning a few minutes later with Emma, who still held her letter in her hand.

"Professor," she said, "I'm so glad you came. How is Severus?"

"He is very saddened by your absence and worried that you might be making yourself ill by being upset over this separation."

"I've written him a letter, but my father wants to read it first to make sure I'm not telling him where I am." She handed the letter to Michael, who gave a lazy wave of his wand to summon a chair for her as he began to peruse the letter. When he finished it, he folded it and touched his wand to it. Another piece of parchment suddenly appeared around it, folding over the letter and closing to form an envelope. He floated it to Professor Dumbledore, who slipped it inside his robes.

"Oh, I almost forgot." said the Professor. He pulled a bag out of his robes and handed it to Emma. "Honeydukes Cinnamon sticks," he said.

Severus softly walked over to stand behind Emma letting his fingers trail along her hair at the back through the light, shimmering material of the invisibility cloak. She'd had her hair cut. It no longer seemed to overwhelm her little face. He smiled to see Emma suddenly sit up and turn her head to see what had touched her, placing her hand to the back of her head. He noticed that she was not wearing her wedding ring and began to wonder if they had gotten to her, if that letter was a request for a divorce.

"If you still wish to speak with Severus, you are welcome to return to Hogwarts with me," said Professor Dumbledore.

"I will come tomorrow," said Michael, "perhaps around two?"

"I will be looking forward to it," said Professor Dumbledore. "And I will make sure that you and Professor Snape have a place where you can speak privately."

Michael stood up and extended his hand. "Thank you, Professor," he said, walking to the door and opening it. Viola and Emma got up and walked out to the hall. Professor Dumbledore and Michael followed.

"I'm going to go to my room to take a nap before lunch," said Emma. "Natalie said she would take me for a walk around the grounds later so I can get some fresh air and exercise."

Emma turned and walked toward her room. Unknown to her, Severus followed close behind and slipped into her bedroom with her. Once inside, he quickly turned the little lock on the doorknob. Emma turned at the little click, staring. Severus suddenly swept off the invisibility cloak, motioning for her to be quiet. The look of joy on her face was almost comical as she threw herself into his arms.

She reached up and took his face in her hands. "I don't believe it, it's really you! Dumbledore sneaked you in here? He is so fantastic. Remind me to thank him," she whispered. "I've missed you so much, Severus."

"Look at you. They cut your hair. I wouldn't have even recognized you except for the stomach and the broken English," he teased.

"How long can you stay?" she asked.

"Not long. By now, the Headmaster realizes that I am not in that lift with him and is probably getting pretty steamed."

"Come, Severus, let's just lay together a little while. I want to feel your arms around me. Just for a few minutes. Behind those drapes are French doors that lead to a little balcony. You can disapparate from there."

"Emma, why aren't you wearing your wedding ring?" he asked.

"He made me turn over my wedding ring. He thinks you might have bewitched it to keep me under your control."

"I can't even bring myself to hate him," said Severus as they lay down on her bed together, on their sides, facing each other. "Not since learning he's your father. I can't really blame him, Emma. I'd do the same as he's doing for our daughter. I can't stay much longer, love. I can't be caught here. It would only add on even more days to this separation. As it is, I'll barely get you back before the baby is due."

"Just stay a little longer, Severus. Oh, I'm being sent to St. Mungo's on Tuesday. Maybe you can show up there?"

In answer, he kissed her and she buried her face into his chest. They didn't speak any more. They just held each other. Severus smiled as her breathed her in. Soon, he heard her breathing deepen and become rhythmic, and he realized she had fallen asleep. He let his fingers softly touch her face before he got up, carefully, not to awaken her. Grabbing the invisibility cloak from the floor, he flung it over himself as he crossed to the French doors and opened the drapes covering them. He opened them and stepped out onto the snow covered balcony, taking one final look at Emma, asleep on the bed, before carefully closing the doors and disapparating.

Outside on the street, he met up with Professor Dumbledore. The man was deeply pissed. "What were you thinking? You could have been caught! When I realized that you weren't in the lift I nearly had a fit."

"I had to speak to her. It's all right, I wasn't caught," he said. "The letter--let me have it." Severus tore it out of the Headmaster's hand, ripped it open and began to read.

"My love,

Please know that you are constantly in my thoughts. The pain I feel at being apart from you consumes me. The space that separates us seems insurmountable. I count down each day like a prisoner awaiting his release. What makes this entire thing even more outlandish is that Ambassador Dalton, it turns out, is my father. He and my mother had a brief affair. She lied to him about her age. When he found out, he broke up with her and disappeared, not knowing he had left a child behind. I know they have the best of intentions, but isn't the road to Hell paved with such? I often wonder if he has done this for me or to assuage his own guilt over the life of deprivation I have had to endure.

I try to console myself with my mother's presence, with the knowledge that, at last, I have met my father and have a sister. Both are trying so hard to make me a part of their family. Perhaps they try too hard. What they want, I feel unable to give. I sleep in this virginal bed in my father's house, eat at his table, wearing clothes he has bought me, feeling like a child.

But I am not a child. I am a woman, a wife, a lover, and a mother. I never fit into the shoes of a child well. I often think I was born old. My mother was so young, so immature, that I had to step into the role of a parent and try to make her act like an adult. She has changed so drastically. She is thrilled to have me back, to know I am alive, but I believe that losing me forced her to grow up, to look at her life, her decisions and conduct more critically. All in all, perhaps this was not a bad thing for her to have had to endure.

I know that we are young. When we are old, with our great-grandchildren surrounding us, we will look back and laugh at this brief separation, at our desperation, our longing for each other, how we believed that ninety days was a lifetime. At our age, time is so generous. We have an entire lifetime ahead of us, decades to live, love, and grow.

But time is also a cruel thief. This time is precious. We are awaiting the arrival of our first child. I need to feel your arms around me. I love to see the look of wonder in your eyes when you feel our child move within me. It always strikes me that you, a wizard, a man who can perform so many wondrous things with a wave of a wand, can still find amazement in something so profoundly ordinary.

Mornings are the worse. I look outside at the sky and know that you are looking at the same sky. I wonder what you are having for breakfast, if you are thinking of me. The hours drag. I spend the day looking forward to the night, to laying down in that bed (I cannot call it my bed, as that is wherever thou layest your head, my love) and mentally etch another slash through that countdown of days until we will be together again, wondering if you are doing the same. No, not wondering, but knowing that you are.

Please, Severus, hold me in your heart during this time and be constant. All they have are words, and the words that would cause me to lose my feelings for you have not been conceived. To judge our entire relationship based on that five seconds that Healer Selma thinks she witnessed so many months ago is ludicrous. That would be like discounting everything accomplished by Martin Luther King because he was once arrested, without looking at why or what his arrest brought about. What have those five seconds to do with what we are, what we will become?

I love you, Severus, and if you hold on to one truth, it is that I am here."

Emma

Severus carefully refolded the letter and slipped it into his robes, near his heart. He felt slightly ashamed of himself for having allowed himself to doubt her. She was the stronger of the two of them. He looked at Professor Dumbledore and smiled. "Everything is going to be all right," he said. "It will all work out in the end."

Professor Dumbledore clasped his shoulder. "I'm sure it will too, Severus," he said. Then the two men disapparated back to the gates of Hogwarts.