Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery

Chapter 60 ~ A Life Changing Letter

Isadora Snape sat in front of her computer monitor making muggle travel arrangements for a witch who wanted to visit San Francisco, California. This had been her job for the past twenty years. When she arrived at Naples, she found a job in a travel agency that needed someone who spoke English. They trained her and the witch quickly became a favorite of the agency’s patrons. She moved up in the company quickly, earning marvelous commissions as a travel agent specializing in muggle travel for those in the wizarding world. She made quite a good living at it, setting up complete itineraries for witches and wizards traveling abroad. From flights, to hotels, to restaurants, to places of interest she put together packages tailored to their needs as well as written instructions of how to move through the muggle world without drawing undue attention.

Finished with her latest arrangements, Isadora printed out the paperwork then sighed, stretched removed her glasses, rolled her head and rubbed her eyes. She had a dinner date with Alfonso tonight, but she was too worn out to deal with the courtship rituals of the ardent Italian. She’d have to find a way to gracefully bow out of the date. The witch stood up and stretched again, extending her arms above her head as she walked toward the large open window of her villa and looked out across the bay.

Isadora stood about five foot seven and was dressed in black jeans and a white blouse. The witch was slim, dark-eyed, well formed, with high cheekbones and a complexion as pale as porcelain. It was easy to see where Severus got his features. He had the male version of her aquiline nose and sensuous mouth. His mother’s crowning glory was her beautiful, silky black hair that fell to her waist. The witch had it pinned up to keep from sitting on it while working.

As Isadora looked out across the water, she noticed a speck on the horizon, quickly growing larger. She saw it was a bird flying steadily towards the mainland. She watched it. It was quite a large creature, with scarlet and gold coloring. It almost looked like…no…it couldn’t be his bird. But as it flew closer there was no mistaking it. It was a Phoenix, and heading straight for her villa. And she only knew one Phoenix.

“Fawkes?” Isadora said as the bird flew in through the large open window and landed on the back of her sofa. The Phoenix looked at her with his beautiful golden eyes and trilled a greeting at her.

“Fawkes! It is you!” Isadora said, gliding over to the Phoenix and caressing his head gently, smiling at the bird. Severus’ must have gotten his teeth from his father. Isadora’s were perfectly straight. “I haven’t seen you in years. You’re as beautiful as ever.”

Fawkes trilled again, and lifted his leg so she could untie the parchment. She did so, and set it on her computer table and looked at the bird.

“You’ve had a long journey. Let me get you some food and drink before I read that,” she said, walking into the kitchen and retrieving some dried and fresh fruit, olives and filling a bowl with cold water. She cut up some persimmons, cactus pear and arranged them on a plate with dried figs and some cured olives. She brought them along with the bowl of water into the living room and set them on the dining room table.

“Come Fawkes and eat,” she said to the Phoenix who flew over and landed on the back of the chair, looking at the gleaming surface of the table, unwilling to scratch it with his claws.

Isadora looked at the bird with her hands on her hips for a moment, then realized what was wrong. She quickly went and got a large towel and laid it on the table, placing the food and water on it. Fawkes hopped on the towel and started eating. Isadora gave him one more caress, walked over to the table and picked up the parchment. She recognized Severus’ seal and frowned. She and Severus exchanged cards on birthdays and during the holidays, but didn’t write other than that. It might have drawn attention to her.

The witch turned the parchment over and over in her hand, hoping it wasn’t bad news. Fawkes stopped eating and sang an encouraging note at her, his eyes whirling. She gave the bird a small, nervous smile and used one long fingernail to break the seal, and opened the parchment. Another small envelope lay within it. She took it out and read the parchment first.

Dear Mother,

It has been some time since I have written you, and you know the reasons for this. No such reasons exist any longer. Lord Voldemort is dead and I am free of his evil forever. Now that his evil is departed from this world, I can let you know that I was not a true servant to him, but worked for the Order of the Phoenix in an attempt to bring him down all these years. I hope that this knowledge serves to allay some of your disappointment in me. I’ve done my best to redeem myself for the errors I’ve made in the past through my service to the Greater Good. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive the mistakes I’ve made as well.

Isadora’s eyes filled with tears as she read her son’s letter. Severus had been a loving child, but his father’s beatings and the way he was treated by others while attending Hogwarts had changed him to a serious, unsmiling young man. The gods only knew how much his service for the Order had changed him. She continued reading.

I have news that I hope will further warm your heart, Mother. I am marrying in two weeks, a very lovely and brilliant young woman. There is a large age difference between us, much like the one between you and Father. But she is bright and I am quite satisfied with her. She is also expecting my child, so you are to be a grandmother.

Isadora clasped her hand over her mouth. Severus marrying and having a child on the way? She never thought her son would marry, and it had been a constant sadness in her that she would have no grandchildren to love. But now…

She continued reading.

Mother, I would like you to attend our wedding…and more, I would like you to return to England permanently. It has been too many years and I have a child to raise now. I would like to raise him or her with your influence and your love in his or her life. You were always a good mother to me. I know you will be a treasure to my child. Enclosed is an invitation to the wedding. Please let me know if you can and will attend by way of Fawkes. I await your answer, Mother and hope to see you soon.

Your Son,

Professor Severus Snape

Isadora opened the invitation and read it, then walked over to her desk, sat down, picked up a quill and signed the little RVSP card attached and slipped it into the envelope. Fawkes was finished with his meal and flew over to the sofa again, his wings raised slightly.

“Ready to go so soon, Fawkes?” she said to the bird.

Fawkes nodded. He had quite a long flight home.

“Very well,” the witch said, walking over to the Phoenix and attaching her acceptance of the invitation to his leg, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Fawkes sang her a sweet song to ease the powerful emotions her son’s letter had elicited in her. Isadora felt soothed.

“Thank you, Fawkes,” she said petting his crested head gently. “I’ll see you in a week or so.”

The Phoenix trilled at her, then launched himself across the room and out of the open window. Isadora watched him fly until he was just a speck on the horizon.

She turned from the window and looked at the letter lying on the sofa.

“Severus marrying. And a grandchild. My grandchild,” the witch breathed. Then she let out a whoop and ran to her computer, sitting down quickly and putting on her glasses. She clicked through the screens impatiently.

“Let’s see, let’s see…ah, here it is. Flights to London,” Isadora said to herself looking at the screen intently. Alfonso would have to find a new witch to stalk.

She had a wedding to attend and a move to plan.

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A/N: Severus’ mom seems like a sweet and caring woman. I think her and Severus’ reunion will be a bittersweet one after all the years apart. I think she will be kind to Hermione as well. Please review.

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The Burning Pen

Becoming Familiar with a Man of Misery
by Ruth Solomon

The story content is adult in nature and can contain graphic sex and violence. Those under the age of 18 are asked to leave this site immediately. You are not welcome here. The author is not responsible for those under-aged who view these works.

CHAPTER 61

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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