It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 52

"Cheeky blighters," he mumbled, as he turned to hook his cane on the back of his chair.

"Good morning, Severus."  "Morning."   "You're doing well, I see." "Good morning."  The teachers added their greetings.

"Good morning, Healer Treiber.  I bring greetings from your fellow staff members at St. Mungo's,"  Neville told Katie.  "They hear you've been working wonders with Professor Snape and if this is the proof, I'd say those reports were spot on!" he added.

"Oh, well . . .Thank you," Katie blushed.  "Severus has worked very hard on his recovery.  I'm just making sure he doesn't over do and push himself too hard, too quickly.  My work here will be done by the end of holiday," she concluded, with a sad smile.

Severus turned to her, frown wrinkling his brow, having just realized that she would, indeed, be soon leaving to go back to her work at St. Mungo's.  She glanced up at him and then looked down at her hands folded in her lap.

The food had appeared on the table and everyone was busy filling their plates and discussing their plans for the day, so Severus leaned over and whispered to Katie.

"Do you think it will be safe for you to return to London?"

"Of course.  The Ministry isn't interested in me any longer and your rehab is almost done. . . there's no reason for me to stay," she replied, before turning to look him in the eye. "Is there?"

Severus was at a loss for words, but mentally took a deep breath and, for once in his life, said what he honestly felt, now that he knew people needed to hear.  "I can think of a few; some practical, some for safety sake and one personal. . . . I  . . . don't want you to leave.  It's totally selfish of me, I know, but . . . "

"Severus . . . I  . . ."  She stopped, took a deep breath and then continued.  "I don't want to leave, either." She smiled. "For several reasons, too.  But I must.  However . . . I will come back," she whispered, as her hand closed over his. "I mean that, I will come back to you."

Severus nodded, not trusting his voice at that moment.  They both turned and started their breakfast, totally unaware that the entire crowd at the table had been surreptitiously watching their little drama unfold, even as they, themselves, chatted and ate. There were not a few silent nods and small smiles passed between the others; happy for Severus and pleased that his future looked brighter than it had in all their collective memories.

X X X

CRACK!  HONK,HONK! rumble, rumble. SCREECH!!!!! POW!

The Knight Bus appeared outside the gates to Hogwarts and lumbered along, belching smoke and swaying precariously as it settled to a stop, the back door flying open.  Ginny Weasley stepped out onto the platform and hopped off the step.

"Here comes Hagrid," she called back into the interior of the violently purple, triple-decker bus.  "Looks like he has some others with him!"

"Splendid," said Fred, as he backed out of the door, using his wand to float a large crate through the narrow opening. "Ginny, could you get those bags that are stored right behind Ernie?"

"Sure," replied his sister, as she scooted back inside.

"Has Hagrid remembered the cart," asked George, as he, too, brought a crate out and set it down on the roadside.

"Yes, one of the larger baggage ones," answered Fred, before he disappeared back inside the bus to bring out a pile of boxes.

"Don't forget our luggage, Fred," called his twin, as Ginny came out, loaded down with half a dozen shopping bags emblazoned with the 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' logo.